2007-03-19 14:38:27 · 5 answers · asked by mproctor26 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
A modern submarine can stay submerged until they need food or toilet paper, so about 6 months. Most boats (as submarines are referred to by submariners (bubbleheads)) are supplied for a six month deployment, but, by the end of that period, the food is pretty crappy - a lot of reconstituted dehydrated powdered junk. As far as air - they make their own using electrolytic oxygen generators, CO2 scrubbers, and by ventilating, which is a procedure that can be accomplished while the boat is submerged using what is called the snorkel mast. US Navy submarines are nuclear powered, so they generate their own power and propulsion. They have huge batteries and a diesel engine to back that up, and they are relatively self-sustaining. As far as fresh water, they make that too, using an evaporator, or a still.
2007-03-19 17:25:16 · answer #1 · answered by Mangy Coyote 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Until they run out of food.
they can make Water, Air, and reactors allow them plenty of power to stay down for years. Food is the one thing that restricts how long they can stay out of port.
2007-03-20 10:06:54 · answer #2 · answered by MP US Army 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nowadays it can be as long as the food holds out. Nuke subs can go on for an indefinite amount of time due to constant fuel and air-scrubbers.
2007-03-19 21:41:56 · answer #3 · answered by Jolly 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
As long as their food and ammunition holds out.
2007-03-19 21:45:48 · answer #4 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most Nuke boats can stay under for about 2 weeks.(last i checked, maybe longer)
2007-03-19 21:42:06 · answer #5 · answered by t2kmf 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋