Swedish Submarine Expected To Enhance Navy's Antisubmarine Warfare Primacy
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS050620-01
Release Date: 6/20/2005 11:08:00 AM
By Journalist Seaman S. C. Irwin, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Swedish attack submarine HMS Gotland arrives in San Diego June 23 and will begin a one-year bilateral training effort with the U.S. Navy’s antisubmarine warfare (ASW) forces.
The diesel-powered Gotland will play a key role in enhancing the U.S. Navy’s ASW capabilities by operating as an opposing force (OPFOR) during a series of exercises against carrier and expeditionary strike groups, naval air patrols and other forces. Likewise, Gotland will gain training experience and enhance interoperability, while participating in exercises with U.S. forces.
“The arrival of Gotland is just one of the many innovations we are implementing to enhance our ability to provide realistic and effective ASW training in the fleet,” said Capt. John Ferrer, head of the assessment branch at Fleet Antisubmarine Warfare Command in San Diego.
Gotland’s training with the U.S. fleet will focus on integrated ASW exercises that will enable all components of the Navy’s ASW forces – air, surface and subsurface – to test and assess their tactics, doctrine and ASW education.
“We are well-trained, highly motivated and ready to go to sea,” said Capt. Jan Westas, commanding officer of Gotland. “We are up against big ships and deeper water that needs special navigation. This is definitely a different environment for us.”
According to Ferrer, Gotland, like many other diesel submarines, is quiet; however, unlike U.S. nuclear submarines, which often serve duty as OPFOR during fleet training exercises, Gotland is physically smaller, giving them less of an active sonar cross section.
“Gotland will therefore provide very realistic active sonar training for our strike groups and maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft as they hone their skills in preparation for deployment,” Ferrer explained.
A Los Angeles-class attack submarine is 360-feet long and can displace approximately 6,900 tons when submerged. In comparison, the 200-foot Gotland displaces 1,490 tons.
Gotland’s advanced technology includes its Air Independent Propulsion units, which enable it to submerge for up to three weeks without snorkeling air from the surface.
“The learning curve is going to be very steep for the whole force out here,” said Senior Chief Sonar Technician (Submarines) (SS) Dale Schonauer, from Submarine Squadron 11 in San Diego. “[Because of this training], we’re going to be more effective against any adversary who is using diesel submarines.”
“Our ASW training should make it clear to any nation that’s watching the U.S. Navy...that you don’t want to buy submarines in order to deny us access to any area of the world," said Ferrer.
Gotland will embark a small number of U.S. Navy personnel as riders and observers but will be manned by two all-Swedish teams of 31 to 33 Sailors.
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