Abroad, they carefully studied the issue of "Military Acceptance" on the Zvezda TV channel, dedicated to the Russian Condor-type titanium submarines. One of their most interesting features is the Wake Trace Detection System (SOX).
Large submarines of the project 945A "Condor" are designed, among other things, for hunting for strategic enemy submarines, so early detection of targets for them is one of the priorities. To do this, the "Condors" are equipped with a set of sensors, which were almost for the first time shown in detail in a video published by the official TV channel of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Usually in the above-water position, these devices are sheathed, even if there are no TV cameras nearby. Two pin-like sensors protrude from the forward end of the wheelhouse, a small mast with others is located on its roof, next to the retractable windscreen. There is also a side sensor.
The principle of operation of SOX is classified. It is assumed that the system captures changes in the density of water left by the hull and propellers of the submarine, writes The Drive. It is also possible that the sensors pick up traces of chemicals - for example, particles of the enemy submarine's sound-absorbing coating, the byproducts of the oxygen recovery system thrown overboard-as well as the radioactive radiation from its reactors. SOX functions in passive mode, complementing the active and passive sonars, it is impossible to notice its work.
Such a "flair" of Russian submarines, given their own secrecy, makes the Condor-type submarines extremely serious opponents. The titanium hulls are non-magnetic, resistant to corrosion, and allow you to dive to a greater depth than steel submarines. Finally, the Condors have the most impressive arsenal per unit volume. Through the six bow torpedo tubes, the submarine can fire torpedoes, rocket torpedoes, cruise missiles, and lay mines.
In the plot of "Stars" there are still a lot of interesting things: what are only an underwater pistol of a combat swimmer or a hand grenade launcher that shoots small depth charges. Both weapons are designed to fight saboteurs sneaking up on the submarine.
Anton Valagin
