2006-08-22 10:47:23 · 9 answers · asked by nflhandicapper 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
It depends on the specific class and mode of propulsion.
Nuclear-powered subs can stay underwater for months, potentially a year or two at a time given sufficient foodstuffs for the crew. Air and water are recycled, and the power plant has a very long lifetime. Older subs are more limited, because of fuel reserves and less efficient recycling systems.
As to depth, that also varies by type, though the actual maximum is usually classified for military vessels. For example, the Seawolf-class has a reported max depth of 610 meters (just under half a mile), but the estimated max depth based on structural simulations is much deeper.
2006-08-22 10:54:32 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
for new nuclear reactor driven submarines, the depth they are capable of diving to is classified, although it is much deeper than the previously answered 150 feet.
As to how LONG it can stay underwater for, using hydrolysis (sp?) the submarine is able to create it's own oxygen supply from the water it navigates through. Thus it can stay under for as long as it's food supply holds out. In general (based on a tour i went on for the military), this would be considered to be about 3 months, though the actual standard operating food supply on a sub is probably classified as well.
2006-08-22 11:00:45 · answer #2 · answered by promethius9594 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
all the way to the bottom of the sea
for ever
just saw that show on National Geographic 138 years after the Confederate U.S. Civil War submarine Hunley sank in waters off South Carolina.
2006-08-22 11:11:55 · answer #3 · answered by Voodoo Doll 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All though the U.S. Navy won't tell you how deep their subs go, the Russians are willing to tell you how deep a U.S. sub can go. U.S. robots can get to the deepest parts of the ocean. The USS Helena is listed at excess of 1,200 feet. Routine under water stay on the sub is 108 days. Depth is now mute since U.S. satellites can spot subs underwater.
2006-08-22 15:03:43 · answer #4 · answered by gregory_dittman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A submarine can go until 20,000ft maximum . It can stay there for 6 months if powered by nuclear energy.
2006-08-23 03:59:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends the class it fits into. Most I think can get pretty extreme. But then the ocean floor can go pretty deep. If they're using riveting, you'll know when the water pressure makes the bolts shoot out of the bulkhead and kills crew members.
2006-08-22 10:54:11 · answer #6 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I once asked a friend of mine at college who had been on subs that question. He said, "In excess of 100 feet deep, and longer than three days."
The Navy ain't talkin'. You won't get a straight answer from someone who knows the truth.
2006-08-22 13:09:40 · answer #7 · answered by Will B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
150 feet (50 m) deep more or less
2006-08-22 10:54:06 · answer #8 · answered by Linda 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does it have screen doors?
2006-08-22 11:07:27 · answer #9 · answered by tripledigit 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋