The Bin Laden Plot

70 USS MICHIGAN

“First torpedo bears one-one-five. Second torpedo bears one-two-zero.”

Wilson acknowledged Sonar’s report and evaluated the situation — both torpedoes were approaching from Michigan’s starboard aft quarter — then reassessed his submarine’s evasion speed. He had ordered ahead full instead of flank in an attempt to retain the thin copper wire attached to their torpedo. The ship convoy would likely change course, and Wilson’s crew would need to send an update to their torpedo. It was still traveling blind, with its sonar off, and would need a course correction if the merchant maneuvered before the torpedo gained contact.

Until the torpedo enabled and detected its target, it was Wilson’s responsibility to keep it on the proper path. He glanced at the Weapon Control Console. Thus far, they had retained the wire.

He returned his attention to the incoming torpedoes. They remained on a steady course with an aft bearing rate, indicating they had been fired on a line-of-bearing solution — back up the path of the incoming MK 48 torpedo — rather than on a corrected intercept solution toward Michigan, which meant they would pass behind the evading submarine. Wilson evaluated the distance between the nearest torpedo and Michigan at the closest point of approach, concluding they would be far enough away from it to avoid detection.

Montgomery announced, “Target zig, Master one through Master five. Contacts are turning away and increasing speed.”

It appeared that the Russian warships had communicated with the merchant, then turned in unison away from the incoming torpedo. The maneuver itself wasn’t a problem as long as the Russian warships were burdened with the slower merchant; Michigan could remain within engagement range. The more important issue, however, was that their MK 48 torpedo was no longer traveling on a course that would intercept the merchant.

As Montgomery and the rest of the Fire Control Tracking Party attempted to discern the convoy’s new course and speed, their torpedo went active.

“Tube One has enabled,” Jescovitch called out. He followed up a moment later with, “Detect!” indicating their torpedo had detected an object that required further evaluation. Several seconds later, Jescovitch announced, “Homing!”

Wilson stopped by the Weapon Launch Console, evaluating the tactical picture. The torpedo couldn’t discern which of the five surface ships it was homing on, but Wilson’s crew could. The symbol representing their MK 48 torpedo was closing rapidly on Master four. It was homing on one of the Russian warships.

“Pre-enable tube One,” Wilson announced.

Jescovitch complied, turning their torpedo’s sonar off. Their weapon would now continue traveling directly ahead, with homing and detonation disabled.

After evaluating the course the convoy had turned to and its new speed — twenty-eight knots — Wilson directed, “Insert torpedo steer, right sixty.”

The steer was sent to the torpedo over its guidance wire and the torpedo executed the order, turning back onto an intercept course with the convoy. Wilson monitored the torpedo’s journey until it passed beneath the two nearest Russian warships. It now had a clear path toward the merchant.

“Command enable tube One,” Wilson ordered.

Lieutenant Jescovitch complied, sending the command to the torpedo, turning on its sonar and handing decision-making over to the torpedo again.

It immediately detected the merchant ship looming ahead, then transitioned to homing. It closed the remaining distance, and the first indication their torpedo had detonated was Jescovitch’s report.

“Loss of guidance wire, tube One!”

A few seconds later, Wilson heard the deep rumbling of a torpedo explosion traveling through the water and Michigan’s hull.

Shortly thereafter, Sonar announced, “Breaking-up noises from Master one.”

Tension in the Control Room began to fade now that they had evaded both lightweight torpedoes and sunk their target of interest. Then another report from Sonar blared across the speakers.

“Torpedo launch transients, correlating to Master six.” The report was followed shortly by, “Torpedo in the water, bearing zero-four-zero!”

Wilson had temporarily ignored the Russian nuclear attack submarine, supposedly being distracted by Jimmy Carter. However, the sinking merchant ship had garnered the attention of the Russian crew; they had realized the convoy was under attack and had counterfired. Whether Jimmy Carter or Michigan was the target, Wilson didn’t know.

There wasn’t time to determine which submarine had been targeted. That could be sorted out later. They were dealing with a heavyweight torpedo this time, which was much faster and could travel significantly farther than a lightweight.

“Helm, ahead flank! Left full rudder, steady course two-eight-zero. Launch countermeasures!”