

Collision leaves two nuclear-armed subs badly damaged










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RE: Here we go
By 9nails on 2/16/2009 10:39:05 AM , Rating: 2
Nuclear detonation is less probable. But nuclear radiation exposure and sickness is still likely. There isn't any vibration dampening to isolate and protect nuclear power plants and warheads from cracking and crushing during collisions. Jolted around, these things can be damaged and radiate the compartments they're in. If significantly shifted, such as in a collisions with another sub or the sea floor, we have reason to worry for the men's health and the health of the ocean's creatures during these peaceful times.

It might be time to consider some form of vision system to aid in reducing further improbable collisions.

RE: Here we go
By masher2 (blog) on 2/16/2009 10:57:05 AM , Rating: 5
> "There isn't any vibration dampening to isolate and protect nuclear power plants and warheads from cracking and crushing during collisions"

Boomers only move at about 25 mph and they (I believe) nearly always cruise much slower. A 'crash' doesn't cause much accelerative forces, compared to what a warhead has to withstand during the boost phase on its ICBM carrier.

Similarly, the reactor itself has an enormously strong containment structure, built to withstand the much higher pressures of the nuclear reaction inside. You might get a little low-level leakage from a coolant pipe or something, but not an actual release of core contents.

Worrying about the "health of the men" inside is silly. Any collision that could jeopardize the reactor would breach the hull, almost a near-certain death sentence.

As for a 'vision system', see my previous post as to why this isn't practical.

RE: Here we go
By djc208 on 2/17/2009 8:57:52 AM , Rating: 3
Um, this is a WAR machine. They are built to operate under extremely demanding conditions, such as actual enemy attack. So asside from the extremely high safty factor engineered into them because they are nuclear reactors, they are usually even more heavily designed in order to allow them to survive wartime conditions, such as enemy attack.

I'd be surprised if the reactor even SCRAMed from the collision. Wouldn't be much of a war machine if the power went out the minute you had any trouble. Remember the US fast attack sub than ran into the underwater mountain? That was much more severe than this collision and the reactor was fine.

As for the health of the men and the oceans creatures well significant radiation leakage would only be a concern if you had issues with the fuel cladding that released core material into the reactor compartment, which is a VERY unlikely event, and even then the shielding in the RC is such that a sailor on a nuclear submarine recieves less exposure during a tour than you do on the surface in that same time period. Remember these vessels can set peir side while critical and people can walk all over the topside of the ship with no special requirements.

As for sea life, there is still the shielding provided by the hull. If the boat is on the bottom part of that radiation is facing toward the sea floor. As for the rest well water is a wonderful radiation barrier. The 10th value is about 24". So the sea life on the hull might see higher levels but fish in normal habitable zones wouldn't be affected. Again, this is all assuming actual leakage of the core material, which is extremely unlikely. Otherwise the reactor would SCRAM and you'd be left with the much lower shutdown radiation levels outside the hull.


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