Introduction from the Saker: I am happy to publish today a map of the current locations of US carriers which is something we definitely want to keep an eye on, especially if a serious crisis erupts, for example, in Syria. The question “where are the carriers?” should always be on the mind every analyst because no US carrier move is innocent, even though in port are there for a reason. There are a few websites who have, or are still, offering this information, but most are either inactive of present it in an ugly way. The SouthFront map below offer a quick “at a glance” look which I find very useful and I am very grateful to SouthFront for their efforts.
If you also appreciate the work of SouthFront, please try to support their work by contributing a donation!
The Saker
(see the full-size high resolution map here: http://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/maritime1.jpg)
SouthFront Commentary: SouthFront is offering the first map of the ‘U.S. Carrier Strike Groups Locations Map’ exclusive series showsing the approximate locations of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups on a weekly basis. The SouthFront team tracks locations of U.S. aircraft carriers using the available open-source information. No classified information was used in production of the map. The product was developed by the SouthFront team, the idea was suggested by The Saker.
A carrier strike group (CSG) is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is centered on an aircraft carrier and a carrier air wing (CVW) of 65 to 70 aircrafts. It’s composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates. A carrier strike group also, on occasion, includes submarines, attached logistics ships and a supply ship. Carrier strike groups comprise a principal element of U.S. power projection over the world’s oceans.
SouthFront is working to enhance research on the situation in the US Navy to expand a scope of information and a depth of investigation to provide more up-to-date and exclusive information on the topic. You can help this project by donating via PayPal: southfront@list.ru or via: http://southfront.org/donate/
Or you can contribute your time and skills to help in this research by contacting our team via: info@southfront.org
Wipe out those carrier groups.
The Americans would never risk a Carrier group against any country capable of shooting back.
And yet there is one in the Persian Gulf right now. That’s dead meat if a war should start.
The US maintain at least one carrier group in the Persian Gulf at all times. They normally do a tour of duty in the region of about 6 months for being swapped for another carrier.
For the US to attack Russia, they planned to fire 20,000 or so cruise missiles including some high speed ones to take out the air defenses. Can Russia take out 20,000 missiles? That’s why the US needs bases everywhere.. How else can they fire them in a short span of time. The global hypersonic missiles are part of this plan. This is before any planes hit the air.. Just like in Iraq and Libya, they took out all the air defenses first by firing hundreds of cruise missiles at these targets. I think Russia learned from these that they need mobile air defenses that can take out cruise missiles. Yes I know most of those air defense batteries can shoot these missiles down, but think about it, if the US fires a couple of hundred hyper sonic cruise missiles, it would deplete most of Russia’s air defense batteries. Before the main battery of cruise missiles are even off the ground.
Now you know why the US needs 2000 bases around the world.. They are not for show and they are not there to fight terrorism.
oh please, so now it’s 2000? my months long research turned up 128 bases. stop exaggerating how many bases there are.
USA have 700-1000 bases all around the world,
depends on category (which of them should or not be counted),
important is also the number on US soil – they can also fire intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Russia had 2 (?) in abroad. One of them became domestic (Sevastopol), the other one is in Syria, but questionable whether to be counted, as it is only a port as a logistics point.
So what was your point to make?
Pointless. Russia would just launch submarine based nuclear missiles and then USA is no more, just as Russia would be. Neither Russia or America have suicidal tendancies. There will not be an open conflict between these two. Expect lots of proxy conflicts which are designed to drain resources. Why the low cost of oil caused by Saudi (USA best friend)
“Can Russia take out 20,000 missiles?”
Yes.
Possibly now and certainly after the S-500 deployment is completed.
Which means we are living in extremely dangerous times, seen by many Americans as a closing window of opportunity for a first strike. In the very near future, the skies over Russia will be sealed.
Subs all the time operate to clear the zone for the task force. Though not technically “with” the task force group, they are the best protection against the greatest threat—other submarines.
The more the carrier groups work closer to land, the greater the missile threat, like China, Russia and Iran possess.
So projection of power is more and more distant for US Naval forces.
Like the F-35 boondoggle, carrier task forces are bloat and waste.
One sub is worth far more but is not a show piece. However, strategically, look at the Russian sub fleet and what is coming and the new Bulava missiles and look at China and their subs and Russian sub to come. These are very wise choices to protect the nation.
US is not about protecting anything. The force they have is best used to “break things”, destroy cities and kill tens of thousands with kinetic strikes.
American taxpayers just do not understand the basics. They think these 11 carrier task forces are for their security. About as useful as the Great Wall of China.
I had read that the hypersonic Sunburn class of missle had made carriers obsolete but they still build carriers.
I had read that you never deploy a carrier where it could be subject to attack by land based aircraft but they park them close to shore all the time.
I had read that the latest generation of submarines could easily sink a carrier group but they act like its no problem.
I think I read it here on the saker site: the survive time of a carrier group in a shooting war with Russia would be 30minuntes. This was a statement in the 80s I think. Is this still true ?
March 19, 2011
From 500 miles away in the Mediterranean US fired 112 missiles at Libya, as their opening salvo. Take a moment to reinvigorate your outrage, if you can stand the lies in this video
http://abcnews.go.com/International/libya-international-military-coalition-launch-assault-gadhafi-forces/story?id=13174246
China in 2010 already had that hypersonic ballistic flotilla destroying missile. Video is up on Youtube.
Maybe this was put on parade at that 70th just passed.
(Don’t take BI seriously; another Soros funded usual bunch of psycho war pimps)
Janes notes that the practice parade featured the “DF-15B short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), DF-16 medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM), DF-21C MRBM, DF-26 intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM), the warhead section of the DF-5B intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the DF-31A ICBM, and the DF-10 land attack cruise missile (LACM).”
http://www.businessinsider.com/china-previewed-new-ballistic-missiles-2015-9
Seems to me there’s some snide comments in this, but you will want to see Putin’s exact words from Friday on Russian involvement in Syria.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-09-05/putin-confirms-scope-russian-military-role-syria
Their explanation of “It’s all about the pipelines” explains Saudi/Qatari involvement ONLY, I think.
I think US & the international banksters attackcountriesl of the middle east partly because they haven’t joined IMF, WTO, and they continued to issue their own currencies w/o reference to the IMF/Fed system, since their own govts control their central banks. They also opposed usury, as a religious principle.
This Zero Hedge story is annoying – they’re quoting the Telegraph for sources, and the overreach is a travesty of logic. But a funny thing is happening at ZH, where their commenters – who really have no great reason to be knowledgeable about Ukraine or the pro-Russian things we read here – even so are getting smarter than the authors at ZH, all the people who post under the name Tyler Durden. Once again, the commenter base is learning faster than the authors.
As for what Putin said, you’re correct, one should read his words, and the President of Russia website is a good place for that. From questions by Russian journalists recently (posted September 4):
http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/50234
“…we are providing Syria with significant support anyway, both in equipment and armaments and in personnel training.
We signed major contracts with Syria some 5–7 years ago, and we are complying with them in full. Therefore, we are considering various scenarios, but so far, what you have mentioned [ie. is Russia ready to take part in a military operation if the coalition does take shape?] is not on our agenda. However, we will continue our consultations both with our friends in Syria and with the countries in the region.”
Note that even this questions hinges on Russia’s attempts to form a coalition to fight terrorism. Putin said he spoke to Obama and a number of heads of state in the Middle East. Technical liaisons are developing. They’re not there yet, he says, but the thing looks achievable.
So even for military ops, Russia requires a coalition. I think it’s clear that Russia has upped its assistance to Syria and is laying the ground for potential air-fighting scenarios – but I wouldn’t guess by whom. As a complete non-expert, I think Russia is trying to warn the other team that it’s being watched more carefully, and cool down the hotheads, as well as preparing fully for the potential scenarios where this warning is not heeded.
Thank you for that Meyssan link the other day, by the way. I still value his analysis greatly.
Grieved,
I generally run all the military stuff I dig into or bump into past Saker. He’s been 100% accurate for a year an a half on just military “facts” related to Russia.
One thing for certain, there is no pure military source that hasn’t been used to put out propaganda. ME is rife with false info. So predicting or being first with something or spinning a clever interpretation of information is generally not going to pan out.
If it’s Russian mil, Saker has the experience or sometimes, sources.
This whole Syria thing broke first several days earlier on one FoxNews report. I immediately sent it to him with the caution I could not find anything other than the Israeli link. It got multiplied across the world from there over the last few days. Since everything leads back to Israel and the Fox story leaked to Jennifer Griffin from her Pentagon sources tells us what this is and why it is out now all over MSM. Griffin, who is top notch, never had a follow up. He Twitter was silent on the topic. So, it was a plant. They use everyone.
@ Grieved,
Q; I think it’s clear that Russia has upped its assistance to Syria and is laying the ground for potential air-fighting scenarios – but I wouldn’t guess by whom.
R; Western MSM white noise, likes the portray Russian President Putin as an isolated nutcase dictator, with no friends whatsoever, who lives on the fringe of a self-induced overdose of madness, but in reality [or the real world] Mr. Putin has been acting, is acting and will be acting as a great statesman, to ensure there is and will be a counterbalance to FUKUS’ mindless, global bullying.
You can’t expect a toddler to step into a pair of sneakers and become the fastest runner on the planet; that takes time, patience and a lot of practice. It seems, in that sense, that Mr. Putin has matured over the years and is ready to hit the road to success and victory.
But then again, who runs full speed through a minefield?
I wouldn’t and neither will Mr. Putin. I might not be stupid, but he’s too smart :o)
Grieved
Thanks for President of Russia website link– what a good idea.
Bad news this morning if Moon of Alabama’s analysis correct:
It appears NATO is preparing to take Syria down, under 2 pretexts: refugee crisis & “rising presence of Russia in Syria”.
Russian diplomacy against the coming aggression: announcement Friday that Assad has agreed to early elections & some power-sharing w opponents & Russian/Syrian willingness to join a coalition agst ISIS.
NATO’s continued plans: BBC: Ministers will start to make a case for British military action in Syria next week – with Downing Street keen to take the “next step” against so-called Islamic State – the BBC understands.
Source: Moon of Alabama, today’s story (9/6)
As suspected/expected, I’m seeing a repeat of 59 years ago in world geopol manoeuvering, down to the nations involved.
It’s going to end the same way—except a far far grander collapse by one or more of the ‘great powers’ than just england in 1956 with the Suez Crisis, then starring Eisenhoover, Nasser, …
Started then July 26 Nasser nationalized the Canal.
Brits Nov 5 1956 sent troops/invasion to retake it (well, they claimed to own the shares sold to them by the frenchies, who built it nearly 3 generations b4!).
Eisenhoover refused to back Brits, & they pulled out late Nov/1956.
Replace Egypt with Syria this time, Nasser then= Assad/Putin now, England same then & now, but USSA now on same side as Brits.
What kind of repeat somewhere after that? I expect it’ll be something close to this, long written about since the dollar since before 911 was all based on military might, murderous mayhem, & enforcement. This time it’s the USSA’s turn:
http://www.tomatobubble.com/id550.html
Lenin and Trotsky’s oppression of the Russian people broke their strength and will to resist the Reds. ‘The Famine of 1921’ was partly due to the folly of central economic planning, as well as to a deliberate effort to kill off any Russians still not willing to support the Red takeover.
The Communists-Bolsheviks had run the money-printing presses to finance their civil war and welfare schemes. When inflation followed, they imposed price controls; causing farmers to lose money by farming. The shortages were compounded by the Reds’ seizure of seeds and food. The horrific famine was then used to selectively feed those regions submissive to the Reds, and starve out those loyal to the White factions.
One of the clear calling card tells they leave is they love the number 100/centennial (among others of course), & just love in their evil glee spree arranging & financing events to meet those dates.
2021 anyone?
Nonsense. If the Bolsheviks were so balls out evil the Russian people would have surrendered to the Nazis without a fight.
*** the Bolsheviks were not the same by the time they were fighting Nazis…were they ? I mean wasn’t the USSR no longer Bolshevik ? – mod.
During WW2, they suspended the communist policy of suppressing nationalism/patriotism because losing the war to Germany was even less desirable. It was a practical thing to do and it helped them win the war. So that was one change that took place.
In addition, the people who brought about the Russian Revolution were not the same ones that were running things in WW2. The revolution was orchestrated by fanatical Jews who didn’t care about a few million Russians if it helped their plans. Stalin was a mass murderer as well but he was not as hostile or destructive towards the Russian people as the Bosheviks were.
Oops, that should say “about a few million dead Russians.”
Sot the Bolsheviks were bastards at first but once they hit their stride they morphed into the good guys but were still Bolshies? That doesn’t make sense.
The head of Austria’s opposition Freedom Party has censured the United States and the NATO for sparking the ongoing refugee crisis that has engulfed European countries.
“The USA and NATO have destroyed Iraq and Libya with their military intervention, bombs and missiles; provided financial, logistical and military support to the opposition against President [Bashar al-] Assad in Syria, and thus made possible the destruction, chaos, suffering,” and Takfirism in the region, Heinz-Christian Strache wrote on his Facebook page on Saturday.
Strache also scorned what he called US President Barack Obama’s suggestion that Europe should bear the main responsibility for dealing with the influx of asylum seekers hailing from conflict-stricken parts of the globe in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
“The USA for decades has started fires in the Middle East and then has … the chutzpah to claim that responsibility for the flood of refugees unleashed lies with Europe. That’s geostrategic detribalization at its finest,” he wrote
Read more here:http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/09/05/427905/Austria-US-NATO-refugee-crisis-Europe-
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/31/petraeus-use-al-qaeda-fighters-to-beat-isis.html
Petraeus: Use Al Qaeda Fighters to Beat ISIS
To take down the so-called Islamic State in Syria, the influential former head of the CIA wants to co-opt jihadists from America’s arch foe.
Members of al Qaeda’s branch in Syria have a surprising advocate in the corridors of American power: retired Army general and former CIA Director David Petraeus.
The former commander of U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan has been quietly urging U.S. officials to consider using so-called moderate members of al Qaeda’s Nusra Front to fight ISIS in Syria, four sources familiar with the conversations, including one person who spoke to Petraeus directly, told The Daily Beast.
Whatever you do, do not confuse the Daily Beast with the Hitlary beeste, nor with someone out there with the unfortunate name of Hilary Beeston!
(yes, you can find that real person on linkedin.)
I remember reading an article in Asia Times concerning preemptive US strike on China. US would send its vaunted aircraft carrier groups to pave the way for liberation of China. How would the Chinese sink them? What would they do before and after making the largest artificial coral reef in the world? What would happen (in Asia) when Russia and Iran join the fray?
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/HD20Ad03.html
Lot of things have changed since this article was published nine years ago but it is still a good read.
I must give you some props, as you have mastered Orwellian American NewSpeak with your fluent use of American weasel words like “premptive strike” and “liberation” to disguise what in fact is prop9sed American aggression.
America wants to “liberate” China in the same way that it liberated Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and many other nations whose societies the Land of the Free has destroyed and the millions of souls it has liberated … from their bodies.
America’s aircraft carriers battle groups are like the Death Stars of the oceans, and we all remember what happened to the Death Star.
I think Americans are in desperate need of having their obese asses receiving a fatal case of Sunburn, shall we say.
The Sunburn – Iran’s Awesome
Nuclear Anti-Ship Missile
http://www.rense.com/general59/theSunburniransawesome.htm
Sorry for misunderstanding, 15 years of gentle brainwashing here(Serbia) gives results. I forgot to add quotation marks (” “) to both words. Didn`t read it for quite a while, but i`m pretty sure author uses both words, though in quotation marks, as excuses for starting and escalating war against China. The article says that all US and UK( forgot to add them too) carrier fleets sent to Chinese waters could be sank by saturating missile barrage( in 2006), also author notes that Iran could also emulate Chinese success in Persian gulf. My country and people( Serbia and RS) were victims of US aggression and I would never endorse it or downplay it.
Interesting informations about the completely change of the balance of forces in Asia and the Pacific in the analyse of the 70th Victory Parade in China by “El territorio del Lince” blog:
http://elterritoriodellince.blogspot.com.es/2015/09/tres-mensajes-sin-sutilezas-por-parte.html
(…)”China has chosen the numbers and the “pinyin” alphabet so there is no doubt what kind of weapon was displayed, so that there is no doubt of the power of the weapon displayed.(…)
(…)Dong Feng 21D missile (DF-21D pictured), the missile “East Wind” has the ability to sink aircraft carriers. US has 10 aircraft carriers, China has one and is building another. US superiority was, until now, full in a fundamental aspect of modern warfare. But with the missile “East Wind” this superiority disappears automatically. Desolated conclusion of US propaganda media (curiously, or not so curiously, several have agreed to the same headline): “Carriers are the force that allowed the US to project its naval forces away from borders; this parade made us note that China is now not only a continental power, but also naval “. Something that gives more light is added: “Carriers are one of the most important components of the security system that Washington offers its allies, particularly Japan”.
The “East Wind” short the US Navy access to many potentially conflicting regions because it has a range of 1,500 kilometers and a lethal effectiveness. So in everything exhibited by China on its parade, with this single weapon was revealed that already have completely changed the terms of the balance of forces in Asia and the Pacific.
Another missile was quickly picked up by the West, the DF-26 ballistic missiles of intermediate-range and long-range (4,000 km) with nuclear charge capacity while conventional (核 常 兼备).(…)
“(…)The DF-26 can carry out precision strikes on targets both maritime and land from large or medium size. It is a new weapon of strategic deterrence. (….)
(…) In presenting these missiles, China is clearly saying that they have been tested, their effectiveness is total and that are operational. And it is supplemented with something that, not surprisingly, was not in the parade but so closes the circle. In August 27 launched into space remote sensing satellite “Yaogan” (Long March) with the mission of “strengthening monitoring of the oceans. “(….)
As real pros, both China and Russia don’t announce when they’re going to do this, that or the other thing [element of surprise, stupid] they become ‘The uninvited guest.’ – link to the DailyMail.
Who’s got what … who’s better etc … Waste of time. After the war we might discuss this topic but now is simply pointless and childish.
One thing is for sure I would be afraid of those Carrier Groups because their purpose is to bring the war to your backyard and keep you away from their home.
No carrier presently at Japan? Be interesting to see if one heads back or if it stays a safer distance from China.
Whats interesting is that carriers are vulnerable and now they are all in a safe port. ive never seen this before. no carrier in Japan? Its a first. Why would they all be in safe harbors (ex Persian gulf). Is a freaking war about to break out?
re: carrier group info: South Front rocks!!! absolutely creatively cutting edge and beware even though the information is open source, you are putting together and making it available. In other words you are acting like the press should and can’t because it exists no more as such. Hmmm all except one in safe harbor?( good point, Secret Agent post) That is a question I will ask around about.
Its hard to believe there are no carrier groups right now in Pearl Harbor, Guam, or Diego Garcia. Not much force projection going on.
A lot of those carriers must be back in the US mainland for extensive maintenance/re-fit. I think it is a combination of Honolulu not having the facilities available to re-build the carriers, availability of skilled workers, job creation politics, and availability of aircraft. Keep in mind that, despite what American propagandists say, the F-35 has been a failure, and the US navy has been relying on it to replace their F-18C/Ds. Also keep in mind that USN carrier air wings were very busy during the last decade, and it would not be surprising that half of the aircraft in USN carrier air wings must be retired due to metal fatigue. Consider the inefficiency of US military and government procurement, it is very likely the planning was not effective enough to have sufficient numbers of F-18E/F Super Hornets to replace all of the ageing F-18Cs.
Reading the map more closely, only now is the USS George Washington sailing to Japan. It must be noted that Japan pays the bills for the carrier battle group stationed in its territory, and Japan is also near financially broke. Recalling the carrier from Japan to the US for extensive repair and refit was likely a face-saving measure to give Japan a temporary break from spending money.
I agree with the Saker about Russia probably not sending large numbers of troops to Syria.But while I don’t have any knowledge of how many troops she is sending or has, it does appear there are “some”.Probably elite units,trainers,specialists,and maybe some few volunteers.It seems from a few articles out today.That Putin has said as much.And unless the photo’s are Photoshop there are some pictures on FB of Russian troops in Syria.They may be the kind of people I mentioned (again,unless the photo’s are fake?):
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1490606974587195&set=pcb.716711741795258&type=1&theater
Yes, story on ZH up today Sep6, but remember ZH is not in any way a first-tier choice for anything other than business news!
I have seen stories put up on ZH as if it’s news, yet I clearly read the article as much as 7- 10 days b4 on a more geopol-specific true news site.
Their tabloid style sensationalism, hyperbole, & righteous smug delivery grate on you after a short while.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-09-06/russian-military-presence-syria-risks-confrontation-us-backed-forces-kerry-warns-lav
“Too big to be a misdirection,” which presumably is why John Kerry jumped on the phone with Lavrov on Saturday. The State Department says “the secretary made clear that if such reports were accurate, these actions could further escalate the conflict, lead to greater loss of innocent life, increase refugee flows and risk confrontation with the anti-ISIL coalition operating in Syria.”
The US has another 9 flat-topped vessels carrying aircraft that would be called aircraft carriers in any other navy. They are not counted as aircraft carriers by the USN for budgetary reasons. Thus they claim to have only 10 aircraft carriers rather than the actual 19, understating the carrier size by about one half.
The ‘missing’ carriers include vessels such as the USS America which could carry 20 F-35s. It is roughly the same size as the French carrier Charles de Gaulle and slightly smaller than Russia’s Admiral Kuzetsov.
http://thediplomat.com/2014/04/does-the-us-navy-have-10-or-19-aircraft-carriers/
@ secret agent: Here is what my military source says:
It’s ok, there is usually 1 in Japan, its just a temporary thing, one just came back from Japan and 1 will go there soon.
Also, they are running 1 carrier short since 1 was decommissioned and the replacement, the Gerald Ford is behind. So its ok, it happens sometimes.
Does anyone else find it odd that all but one US carrier group are tightly clustered around the US east and west coasts?
Consider the following:
———-
From jimstone.http://82.221.129.208
Still a red alert:
The U.S. military has shut down the same aircraft reconnaissance systems that they shut down before 911 as part of a military training exercise, just like before 911, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER SINCE 911. In addition to this, they did it without announcement and have aircraft controllers very upset for giving practically no notice, when they request months forewarning to such things happening.
This shut down will leave air traffic controllers blind to all incoming threats (via failure to identify what planes are on radar) 200 miles out over the ocean across the entire Eastern seaboard down to Florida, and all airspace above five Eastern states, in addition to Florida. Considering the time of this particular month and the current world events status, I think that is a little bit spooky. HEADS UP! I don’t make predictions here, but this is quite the eye opener.
———
Yesterday China had its FIFTH major industrial explosion in a about a month, this time in Zhejiang province. At least two of the previous explosions were just around 11pm . This latest one is mentioned in news as “shortly before midnight.” Like, one hour before, perhaps?
The Zionist bastards do love to sign atrocities with their Satanic “11”.
Once is bad luck, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action, 4th & 5th times are outbreak of war.
——–
My wild guess: The US is hammering China, to make it look like the Chinese _would_ retaliate, and is about to stage a false flag ‘Chinese retaliation’ attack against the USA, as a pretext for extreme martial law. Under Obama as president for life. Why do you think you’re being offered a choice between a goofball and a traitor as next President? “Just accept Obama” is why.
So, Jade Helm is still running, right?
The US carrier groups are positioned to manage the fake ‘incoming’, try to deal with any actual Chinese threats, and provide air support for a USA martial law smackdown of any dissident American patriot resistance after the false flag attack.
My recommended response: China and Russia, please nuke Washington, Cheyenne Mountain and all the NSA holo-net web propaganda control sites immediately. Also run a demonstration of what supersonic radar-stealthy anti-ship missiles and Russian ECM do to carrier groups. Those ones so conveniently clustered around the USA right now, so there won’t be any collateral damage to other nations.
The US nuke sub fleet – I don’t know, maybe you have some ideas of how to deal with them?
Same goes for Israeli nuke forces.
They are now just big dumb targets with the advent of multiple missile types (some nuclear tipped) – very high speed anti ship (Mach 2 to 3), ICBM type missiles and silent subs with cavitating torpedoes (250knots+).