Wilson moved to the front of the Conn, preparing to launch a torpedo, either when the Kilo fired or propulsion was restored. He listened intently to the Engine Room communications in the background, and the report he was waiting for finally came across the Conn speaker.
“Conn, Maneuvering. Ready to answer all bells.”
Wilson announced, “Match sonar bearings and shoot!”
The Weapons Officer ordered the torpedo launched, and Wilson heard the whirr of the ejection pump impulsing the torpedo from the tube.
“Helm, ahead flank!” Wilson ordered. “Hard left rudder, steady course one-three-zero! Launch decoy, hold jammer!”
The Helm turned the rudder hard left and twisted the Engine Order Telegraph to ahead flank. The submarine’s engines sprang to life, sending tremors through the deck. A few seconds later, a fire control technician called out, “Decoy away!”
The torpedo decoy had been launched none too soon, because Sonar reported, “Torpedo launch transients from Master one, bearing two-five-zero!” Seconds later, a report blared from the speakers, “Torpedo in the water, bearing two-five-zero!”
Wilson examined the red line on the geographic display, with new lines appearing every ten seconds. The bearing to the torpedo remained constant.
Either they weren’t moving out of the way fast enough, or the torpedo had been fired from long range. Hopefully, it was the latter, which would give Michigan time to slip away before the torpedo approached within acquisition range.
Michigan picked up speed and completed its turn. Wilson glanced at the torpedo bearing again. It was drifting to starboard. A good sign. The torpedo hadn’t yet acquired Michigan and was continuing on its preset course.
After Michigan moved far enough away from its decoy, Wilson ordered, “Launch jammer.”
The fire control technician complied and an acoustic jammer was launched, placing a blinding field of noise between the decoy and Michigan in the hope the torpedo would see only the decoy and not the larger object speeding away.
Wilson confirmed the torpedo remained on its original course, then turned his attention to their weapon, which was inbound toward the Russian submarine at medium speed.
Lieutenant Commander Patzke announced, “Possible target zig, Master one, due to downshift in frequency.”
The Russian submarine was mimicking Michigan, turning away and no doubt launching torpedo countermeasures to fool the incoming torpedo. The bearings to the Kilo submarine were almost steady despite Michigan’s speed and course change, which meant the Russian captain had turned in the same direction as Michigan. They were now on almost parallel courses, albeit slightly opening.
“Confirm target zig, Master one. Target turned to starboard and increased speed. Set solution anchor range at five thousand yards.”
Five thousand yards. That was the last bit of information they needed.
“Weps, give me a steer recommendation.”
The Weapons Officer studied the Weapon Control Console display, examining their torpedo’s track and the updated target solution as the fire control technician simulated various steer commands.
“Recommend right six-zero.”
Wilson ordered, “Insert steer, right six-zero, tube One.”
The fire control technician sent the order to their torpedo over the guidance wire, and they watched the torpedo turn right.
“Tube One has accepted steer.”
Although their torpedo had been set back onto an intercept course with the Russian submarine, it still had to deal with the decoy and jammer the Russian crew had undoubtedly launched.
“Sonar, Conn. Have you detected decoy or jammer deployment?”
“Conn, Sonar. Yes, sir. Decoy bears two-seven-zero and jammer bears two-six-two.”
Patzke overheard the report and ordered one of the fire control technicians to insert symbols at the appropriate bearings, using the anchor range to the target before it maneuvered. The two symbols appeared on the display.
Michigan’s MK 48 MOD 7 torpedo was quite capable, usually able to identify small objects pretending to be a submarine as decoys, and able to see through jammers to some extent. But Wilson didn’t want to take a chance the Russian countermeasures were newer, more capable versions.
“Pre-enable tube One,” Wilson ordered.
The Weapons Officer sent the command to the torpedo, which turned off its sonar and search algorithms. Wilson stepped from the Conn, stopping behind the Weapons Officer and fire control technician, watching the MK 48 proceed along its ordered course.
After the torpedo passed the decoy and jammer symbols, Wilson ordered, “Enable tube One.”
The Weps complied, activating the torpedo’s sonar. Their MK 48 was close to acquisition range. If the steer was accurate enough, not even another maneuver by the Russian captain would save him.
Wilson returned his attention to the incoming Russian torpedo, which appeared to be attacking Michigan’s decoy. However, it wouldn’t be long before the Russian crew directed it onto a new intercept course with Michigan. Hopefully, the Russian crew would become preoccupied with their survival.
The Weapons Officer reported, “Detect!”
Their steer had been good enough, and Wilson’s decision to run the torpedo past the Russian countermeasures had worked superbly.
A few seconds later, the Weps announced, “Acquired!” indicating the torpedo had verified the detection was a submarine.
The torpedo surged to maximum speed and increased its ping rate to more accurately calculate an intercept course. It would close the remaining distance in less than a minute, making course adjustments while the target maneuvered, likely giving the Russian crew insufficient time to insert a torpedo steer.
Wilson focused on the Russian torpedo again, which was circling back for another attack on Michigan’s decoy. So far, so good.
The seconds counted down, and then the sound of an explosion rumbled through Control, followed by Sonar’s report. “Torpedo explosion on the bearing to Master one.”
Wilson examined the Russian torpedo, which was still preoccupied with the decoy. Michigan had survived.
He was about to order a slower speed when Sonar reported, “Conn, Sonar. Detect a loud flow tonal coming from own-ship, starboard side.”
It must be the torpedo hole in the hull. As Michigan increased speed, the water flowing down the hull was interacting with the jagged metal surrounding the blast point, creating a flow tonal. With the Russian Kilo vanquished, it was time to slow down, blending into the Black Sea again.
“Helm, ahead two-thirds.”
Michigan’s speed tapered off and the adrenaline coursing through Wilson’s body began to fade. He stopped by a combat control console and examined where they were in the Black Sea. As he evaluated where to head next, an urgent report blasted from the Conn speakers.
“Torpedo in the water, bearing zero-nine-zero!”
A red bearing line appeared on the display. Michigan had been traveling at ahead flank, reducing the range of its spherical array while putting a tremendous amount of noise into the water due to the high speed and flow tonal from the damaged hull. There was another Russian submarine out there, probably the third Kilo, which had tracked Michigan during its evasion and had developed a firing solution.