The maximum depth submarines can go to varies depending on the model and class of the submarine. Nuclear submarines can generally go deeper than non-nuclear submarines, due to their ability to generate more power and handle the higher levels of pressure at greater depths.
To give a general answer, most submarines used by the military have the capability to travel to depths of up to 500m (1,640 feet). Super-deep submergence submarines have even gone as deep as 2,000m (6,560 feet).
It is possible for submarines to go even deeper, given the right equipment and conditions, with reports of some submarines travelling to 8,198m (26,850 feet) below the sea surface.
In the Cold War era, submarines were built for extreme depths of up to 1,000m (3,280 feet). Such vessels were built to be able to dive to near the seabed, safely traverse the continental shelf, and even penetrate the depths of the polar ice caps.
Overall, the depth capabilities of a submarine are determined by its design, materials, and propulsion system. As technology advances and submarines become more advanced, the maximum depths they can achieve will also increase.
What is the deepest a submarine has ever gone?
The deepest a submarine has ever gone is 10,911 meters (35,798 feet) below the surface of the ocean. This record was set by a joint effort between the Russian vessel DSV DEEP SEA CHALLENGER and the United States vessel DSV ALVIN.
The record-breaking dive was into the Puerto Rico Trench off the coast of Puerto Rico on June 19, 2020. The Puerto Rico Trench is the deepest part of the Atlantic Ocean and the deepest point in the entire Atlantic-Caribbean region.
The pressure at the bottom of the Trench was estimated to be 8 tons per square inch, which is equivalent to the weight of a small car! The journey to the bottom of the Trench was recorded and will be available for viewing in the near future.
The mission was jointly funded by the governments of Russia and the United States, as well as private companies in both countries to explore the deep reaches of the ocean.
Has a submarine ever reached the bottom of the ocean?
Yes, submarines have been used to explore the depths of the ocean for many years. Submarines are able to dive up to a depth of around 500 meters, though some have been known to go much deeper. In 1960, the Bathyscaphe Trieste descended nearly 11 kilometers to the deepest point on Earth, the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, the world’s deepest ocean trench.
Since then, many submarines have explored the depths of the ocean and its various features, including seamounts and hydrothermal vents. In 2018, researchers from the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association completed the world’s deepest manned submersible dive by descending 10,902 meters, which is deeper than the deepest part of the Grand Canyon and twice as deep as the location of the Titanic.
While this was the deepest man-made dive, submersibles have since reached more than 11,000 meters, exploring and studying our deep oceans and its inhabitants such as jellyfish, giant squid, and even bioluminescent organisms.
How deep could a WW 2 depth charge go?
WW2 depth charges had a maximum plunge depth of around 500 feet, although some designs were capable of reaching up to 1000 feet. Depth charges were designed to explode at the sea floor, usually set at around 25 to 100 feet from the sea floor depending on the model.
The depths of the target areas were taken into account when deciding the depth of the depth charge detonation. WW2 depth charges normally used an hydrostatic mechanism to control detonation, which would be set at the desired depth before the attack, though there were also other types of mechanisms used, such as contact and time delay.
How long could WW 2 Subs stay submerged?
The amount of time a World War 2 submarine could stay submerged varied depending on the class of submarine and the submarine’s design. Generally speaking, small coastal submarines that were part of the Type IIA and IIB classes of submarines could remain submerged for up to two hours, while larger submarines such as the midget U-boats associated with the Type IXCs could dive and remain submerged for a maximum of 12 hours.
Most of the larger submarines that belonged to the classes U-boat VIIC and U-boat IXC could stay underwater for a maximum of 48 hours. In the mid to late 1940s, the maximum time a submarine could remain submerged was around 80 hours.
What is the most effective weapon against a submarine?
The most effective weapon against a submarine is a combination of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) techniques and weapons. These techniques and weapons can include active sonar and torpedoes deployed from surface ships, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft to detect, track, and attack submarines.
Other weapons include depth charges, minefields, and Nuclear depth bombs that are dropped from the air. Additionally, various countermeasures can be used to identify, locate and ultimately defeat enemy submarines, such as equipment that records sound used by the submarines and acoustic decoys which create false targets.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of ASW techniques and weapons are determined by the battle conditions, the skill of the ASW operators and the capabilities of the submarine.
What depth do depth charges explode?
Depth charges are used by navies to target and destroy submarines. They are dropped into the water and sink until they reach a predetermined depth. The depth they are set to detonate can vary depending on the type of depth charge and the current tactical situation.
Generally speaking, most depth charges are designed to detonate in the water at a depth ranging from 25 to 250 feet or more. The deeper the detonation, the more efficient the destruction of the target submarine.
Why depth charges don t have to touch a submarine to sink it?
Depth charges don’t have to touch a submarine to sink it because they use immense underwater pressure to create a shockwave that can travel through water and damage the hull of a submarine. The explosive force of the depth charge, combined with the pressure of being underwater, can cause serious and often fatal damage to the submarine, even if the charge didn’t actually hit the vessel itself.
Depth charges can also damage a submarines engine and force them to the surface. Depth charges are one of the most common ways to destroy submarines and it’s clear that they don’t need to actually touch the submarine in order to do so.
Can a shark bite through a submarine?
No, a shark cannot bite through a submarine as the hull of a submarine is made from hardened steel which is too strong for a shark to bite through. Furthermore, submarines can travel underwater to depths where very few species of sharks can survive.
Even if a shark could bite through a submarine, the process would be incredibly slow and would require tremendous force and energy. Additionally, due to the pressure at the depths that submarines travel, even the strongest shark teeth would likely be unable to pierce submarine hulls.
Is a submarine faster underwater or on top?
Submarines are much faster underwater than when they are on the surface. This is because the water is 800 times denser than air. When submerged, the submarine displaces its weight in water, making it much easier for the motors to push against and providing less resistance than when it is moving through the air.
Additionally, a submarine will use its fins and rudder to help it move more precisely underwater. Most submarines are able to reach speeds of up to 20 knots (~23 mph) when submerged, and around 15 knots (~17 mph) on the surface.
This is due to the drag created by its sail and conning tower when above the water.
Has a US submarine ever sunk?
Yes, US submarines have sunk. In WWII, for instance, 52 US submarines were sunk by hostile action. Additionally, US submarines, such as the USS Thresher, have sunk as a result of malfunctions or other causes.
The USS Thresher sank in 1963 at a depth of 8,400 feet after an apparent loss of power and an inability to resurface. Over 100 personnel, including 13 civilian technicians, perished in the sinking. Furthermore, many submarines have sunk in peacetime incidents, usually occurring during training operations or due to equipment malfunctions.
The USS Bonefish, for instance, sank in 1977 during a training exercise after an alleged equipment failure. Though all of the crew members were rescued and the submarine was eventually salvaged, it is still considered an example of a US submarine lost at sea.
How deep can a submarine go without being crushed?
The depth at which a submarine can go without being crushed depends on the type and model of submarine being used. Generally, most submarines have a safe operating depth of around 2,000 meters below sea level.
However, modern nuclear submarines have been able to reach depths below 6,000 meters without being crushed. These submarines are built using strongly reinforced materials such as titanium or high-grade steel, which allow them to withstand the intense pressure of the deep sea depths.
Additionally, some submarines have been built with hi-tech internal systems that recycle gases and eliminate pressure differential between the outside and inside of the vessel. These submarines are able to achieve even greater depths than those mentioned previously.
How much does a submarine compress at depth?
A submarine’s hull is designed to be highly resistant to external pressure, allowing it to go to significant depths underwater and remain intact. Exactly how much a submarine can compress at a given depth will depend on the design of the submarine and the materials it is built with.
In some instances, a submarine can be designed to withstand pressure equivalent to a depth of up to 1,500 meters; if pressurized, this could mean the hull compressing by several centimeters.
Pressure also affects the internal tank, a space designed for storing water and air, of a submarine. At a depth of 1,000 meters, the pressure from the surrounding water will usually cause the internal tank to compress to around one third of its original size.
Of course, the greater the depth a submarine is able to reach, the greater the level of compression that is needed, as the pressure increases with depth.
When a submarine does reach a significant depth underwater, the crew and equipment on board need to be able to cope with the increased pressure. This is why submariners have to be adequately trained and their vessel takes certain preventative measures, such as using special supportive devices, to ensure the safety of everyone on board.