The "Silent Killer" Under the Deep Sea——Deep Sea Pre-placed Weapons

Editor's note: The bombing of the Nord Stream pipeline and the crash of the Reaper drone into the sea have once again focused the world's attention on the sea battlefield filled with the "fog of war". Next, we will provide readers with a scientific introduction to new types of combat forces in the sea battlefield, such as unmanned surface ships, underwater submersibles, deep-sea robots and underwater pre-positioned weapon systems.

“Those who are good at defense hide under the nine earths, while those who are good at attack move above the nine heavens. Therefore they can protect themselves and win the whole victory.” This sentence from “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu vividly summarizes the basic characteristics and application principles of underwater pre-positioned weapon systems.

The silent killer hiding in the deep sea

The deep-sea pre-positioned weapon system, also known as the underwater pre-positioned weapon system, uses modern deep-sea technology and unmanned and intelligent technology to integrate or redesign unmanned submersibles, drones, missiles, torpedoes and other weapon equipment systems through an automated deep-sea residence release platform. It is pre-deployed in key straits, throats, and key points and areas on the seabed in peacetime, before or during war. It is hidden and lurking for a long time in peacetime. In wartime, it is activated by remote control or triggered by key attack target information to perform combat tasks such as intelligence reconnaissance, submarine assault, route blockade, and key area control. Once this weapon system is deployed on the seabed hundreds of meters or even thousands of meters deep, it will be impossible for the opponent to find it with the help of seawater with extremely poor light transmittance and electromagnetic signal conductivity, as well as the cover of complex seabed terrain. At the same time, it will be like a turtle ninja squatting in the dark night with breath held and concentration. Once enemy ships and other targets appear or receive assault orders, it will break out of the water and kill the enemy with one blow.

Pictured: Schematic diagram of underwater pre-positioned weapons operations (Source: Baijiahao)

Originated from the use of Nazi missiles at sea

The concept of deep-sea pre-positioned weapons originated from the idea of ​​using V-2 rockets (the earliest surface-to-surface ballistic missiles) at sea during World War II. At that time, Nazi Germany used a large amount of "black technology" in the war, among which V-2 caused great damage to Europe, especially Britain. However, this "absolutely high-tech weapon" at the time had a range of only 240-370 kilometers. In order to attack the United States, Nazi Germany designed to put V-2 in a special pontoon and transport it to the Atlantic Ocean by ship to launch it to attack major American cities such as New York. Due to the technology at the time and the lack of resources in the later stages of the war, Nazi Germany surrendered before this plan was implemented.

Pictured: Nazi Germany's V-2 missile (Photo source: Baijiahao)

A disruptor of traditional maritime engagement planning

Since the 1990s, the United States, Russia and other countries have secretly conducted a large number of demonstration tests and have each developed powerful and highly intelligent deep-sea (underwater) pre-positioned weapon systems.

The "Sports Boat" underwater pre-positioning system has become an important component of Russia's maritime strategic nuclear force.

In order to make up for the lack of sea-based strategic nuclear strike capability, Russia restarted the development of submarine ballistic missiles. In June 2013, it conducted a launch test of underwater fixed ballistic missiles in the White Sea. At the end of 2017, the "Sailboat" missile system was included in the arsenal of the Russian Armed Forces. The system consists of three subsystems: the "Sailboat" missile, the underwater launch platform, and the deployment and transportation. Among them, the deployment and transportation subsystem is performed by the specially modified "Sarov" submarine, which has the hull structure, long endurance and stealth performance required for the deployment of the "Sailboat" missile; the underwater launch platform is equipped with a missile launcher with a launch tube on it. Special materials and processes are used to make it a submarine container that integrates storage/transportation/launching functions (it can protect the missile from excessive pressure on the seabed and corrosion from seawater, and at the same time ensure its communication and information with the command post).

When the system is deployed, it is secretly transported to the designated position by the "Sarov" submarine and placed underwater. When the system receives the launch command, the launch platform changes from a horizontal state to a vertical state, and floats to the designated launch depth according to the water depth. The ballistic missile is ejected from the launch tube, surfaces after traveling to a certain safe distance, and the missile engine ignites and flies towards the target.

Pictured: Schematic diagram of the Russian "Racing Boat" pre-positioned weapons (Source: Baijiahao)

The "Hydra" and "Effective Sinking and Suspension Payload" systems help the United States maintain its advantage in deep-sea battlefields.

In 2013, the United States launched the research and development of these two projects separately, believing that these were major projects that would change the combat planning of naval battlefields and overturn the tradition in people's minds that naval battles must rely on ships, submarines and fighter jets.

The Hydra unmanned shallow-water pre-positioned weapon system adopts a modular design and can be quickly assembled into combat systems with different functions, such as intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, firepower strike, underwater/air unmanned vehicle mother ship, and special forces equipment support, according to different combat backgrounds. It can be pre-deployed in key maritime areas such as transport routes and straits by ships, submarines or aircraft. It can be lurking for several months in the sea area with a water depth of 300m, activated and started by remote control, passively receiving command, control and intelligence information, and performing combat tasks such as reconnaissance, strike, and route blockade.

Pictured: Schematic diagram of the pre-positioned weapons of the US "Hydra" (Source: Baidu Network Library)

The "effective sinking and buoyant payload" deep-sea pre-positioned weapon system consists of three key subsystems: built-in underwater/airborne payloads, pressure-resistant buoyancy capsules, and remote activation links. It is a combat platform that can operate submerged at a depth greater than 6 km for 5 years or even longer. The capsule-shaped capsule can be equipped with unmanned weapons and equipment with different combat functions. The system is deployed to the predetermined sea area through platforms such as aircraft, ships, submarines, or merchant ships (civilian ships), and triggers the release mechanism after receiving an activation signal outside the defense zone. The capsule payload system is unlocked from the fixed system, and it automatically and quickly floats from the seabed to the surface. The launch cabin on the top of the back is opened to release lethal weapons such as drones to attack the enemy, or release reconnaissance, communication and other equipment to perform other combat tasks.

Pictured: Schematic diagram of the U.S. "Effective Sinking and Floating Load" pre-positioned weapon system (Source: Baidu Network Gallery)

Figure: Schematic diagram of the successful launch of the US "Effective Sinking and Suspending Load" pre-positioned weapon (Source: US Spadron Corporation)

Introduction to the Science Popularization Team: The 597.9 Highland Science and Technology Innovation Team is a young science and technology innovation team dedicated to modern warfare research, combat theory innovation, military science popularization, and professional military theory consulting. The team is composed of several doctors in military science, who have extensive experience in military, college, and scientific research institutions, have fruitful academic research results, and have a rigorous and realistic attitude towards scholarship and a pioneering spirit of innovation. The fundamental purpose of the team is to "spread scientific and technological knowledge, promote the fighting spirit, and help strengthen the country and the army."

Produced by: Popular Science China Military Technology Frontier

Author: Liang Chunhui (scholar of joint operations theory)

Planning: Jin He

Scientific review: Zhang Huanming (military expert of Army Aviation)

Producer: Guangming Online Science Department