In concert with his thoughts, Sonar completed its initial search following the descent from periscope depth.
“Conn, Sonar. Hold a new contact on the towed array, designated Sierra four-five, classified submerged, bearing one-eight-two. Analyzing.”
Watson glanced at the nearest combat control display. The submerged contact was to the south and was held passively on the towed array, which meant the only concrete information available to the crew was the contact’s bearing. It would take a while for the combat control system algorithms to determine the contact’s parameters — range, course, and speed. However, Sonar helped out.
“Conn, Sonar. Contact is classified as Russian Yasen-class nuclear submarine, traveling at high speed. Estimate contact is traveling in excess of thirty knots based on screw blade rate.”
The Russian submarine had increased speed to flank, attempting to chase down the evading carrier strike group.
Watson replied, his voice carrying through the Control Room and also into adjacent areas via the microphone above the Conn. “All stations, Conn. Designate Sierra four-five as Master one. Track Master one. I want a firing solution as soon as possible.”
Torpedoes had already been loaded into all four tubes, leaving one more preparation remaining. “Flood down and open outer doors, all tubes.”
Asheville was still at low speed, maximizing the range of its sensors. Without knowing how far away the Russian submarine was, it was better to remain stealthy at a lower speed while determining the target’s course and range. However, maneuvering Asheville would help the combat control system algorithms calculate the target’s approximate course and range. Watson guessed that the Russian submarine was chasing down the strike group, so he turned Asheville in the same direction.
“Helm, left full rudder, steady course zero-nine-zero.”
A few minutes after completing the turn, the towed array stopped snaking back and forth, and reliable bearings began arriving. It didn’t take long to confirm Watson’s guess — the Russian submarine was headed eastward. The estimated range was problematic, near the limit of Asheville’s MK 48 torpedoes.
“Weapon Control, report fuel remaining to Master one.”
Lieutenant Rusty Idleman, supervising the Weapon Launch Console, reported, “Estimated fuel remaining is four percent.”
Watson’s crew would have to react quickly. Their torpedoes had barely enough fuel to catch the Russian submarine, and the fuel remaining would decrease rapidly with the target at ahead flank and Asheville still at ahead two-thirds. He was about to increase speed and begin torpedo launch procedures when Sonar’s report interrupted his thoughts.
“Conn, Sonar. Hold a new contact on the towed array, designated Sierra four-six, classified submerged, bearing one-five-zero. Analyzing.”
Watson glanced at the geographic plot. The new contact wasn’t Michigan — its new operating area was to the northeast, not southeast — which meant there was a second Russian submarine in Asheville’s area. Its range was currently unknown, and the Russian submarine would be a significant threat if it was close enough to detect Asheville’s torpedo launch toward Master one and fire in response.
“Conn, Sonar. Sierra four-six is classified as Russian Akula-class submarine.”
Watson announced immediately, “All stations, Conn. Designate Sierra four-six as Master two. Track Master two.”
“Conn, Sonar. Hold Master two on the spherical array. Estimated range is ten thousand yards based on spherical array range-of-the-day for an Akula.”
Asheville and other American submarines’ sonar search plans were multifaceted, and one parameter updated daily was the initial detection range of various contacts by the submarine’s sensors, taking into account the current environmental conditions and the estimated radiated noise of each contact. At ten thousand yards, the Akula submarine to the southeast was much closer than Master one and a clear counterfire threat. It would have to be dealt with first.
“All stations, Conn. Master two is the target of interest.”
As the fire control technicians manning the combat control consoles shifted their emphasis to the closer submarine, Sonar made another report.
“Conn, Sonar. Hold a new contact on the towed array, designated Sierra four-seven, classified Akula, bearing three-five-five.”
There was a third Russian submarine to the north. Whether it was traveling south toward Asheville or chasing the surface ships was unknown. Then Sonar’s report clarified the matter.
“Conn, Sonar. Gained Sierra four-seven on the spherical array.”
The submarine to the north was also closing on Asheville. The situation then turned drastically worse with Sonar’s next report.
“Conn, Sonar. Hold a new contact on the towed array, designated Sierra four-eight, classified Akula, bearing two-six-zero.”
Watson evaluated the deteriorating situation. Asheville was boxed in by three Russian submarines, two of which were closing on them, and he was fairly certain the third submarine was headed their way as well. The Russians were hunting in a pack, like the Germans had done in World War II, apparently disregarding the American philosophy of one submarine per operating area while weapons-free. Watson was about to give new course and speed orders to the Helm when he was interrupted by the Sonar Supervisor’s voice blaring over the Control Room speaker.
“Torpedo launch transients, bearing one-five-five!”
Seconds later, Sonar reported, “Torpedo in the water! Bearing one-five-five!”
Turning toward the sonar display on the Conn, Watson examined the monitor. A bright white trace had appeared at the reported bearing.
Watson responded immediately. “Ahead flank! Left full rudder, steady course three-four-zero! Launch countermeasures!”
The Helm twisted the rudder yoke to left full as he rang up ahead flank on the Engine Order Telegraph, while the submarine’s Junior Officer of the Deck flipped up the protective cover on the countermeasure launch panel, ejecting a torpedo decoy into the water.
Watson followed up, “Quick Reaction Firing, Master two, tube One!”
As Watson’s crew executed the order, bearing lines to the incoming torpedo appeared on the nearest combat control console, updated every ten seconds. With the crew already at Battle Stations and tracking the designated target, that should be more than enough time to shoot back. But the more important issue was whether Asheville could evade the incoming torpedo. The situation turned worse, however.
“Second torpedo in the water, bearing three-five-zero!”
A new bearing trace appeared on the Conn Sonar display, followed by another report blaring across the Control Room speakers. “Third torpedo in the water, bearing two-six-two!”
There were now three torpedoes inbound toward Asheville. Watson stared at the Sonar display, searching for a solution. No matter which way he turned, he’d be headed toward one of the torpedoes. For Asheville to survive, he would have to maneuver his submarine expertly and correctly guess the ranges and courses of the incoming torpedoes.
The torpedo to the south was likely the closest, having been fired from the first Russian submarine detected on the spherical array. Asheville was well positioned to evade the first-fired torpedo, having turned to a different course after being fired upon and leaving countermeasures behind that the torpedo would have to deal with. The challenge now was to thread the needle between the other two torpedoes.