Vengeance

82 USS MICHIGAN K-571 KRASNOYARSK

On the bottom of the Persian Gulf, it was quiet in Michigan’s Control Room as Murray Wilson wondered if they had fooled Krasnoyarsk’s crew.

Standing on the Conn, bathed in yellow emergency lighting, Wilson discussed the situation with his Executive Officer, four department heads, and the Chief of the Boat. The first order of business was ensuring all noisy equipment had been secured, followed by a detailed inspection to determine what had been damaged during the less-than-graceful bottoming. The department heads departed to inspect their spaces, augmented by teams of personnel assigned and tasked by the Chief of the Boat.

Meanwhile, Wilson kept a keen eye on the Sonar display on the Conn and the tactical displays on the combat control consoles. The Weapons Officer had reported that they had lost the towed array during the bottoming, but the spherical array in the bow remained operational.

On the spherical array, they still held Krasnoyarsk via surface reflections — no direct path tonals were received — which was good news. If Michigan’s sonar could not directly see Krasnoyarsk, then the Russian submarine’s sonars could not directly see Michigan. Wilson had indeed found a depression at the bottom of the gulf deep enough to hide in, and the Russians would have to rely on surface reflections, with their weaker acoustic signals, to detect and locate Michigan if they suspected it had survived.

Without the ability to maneuver the submarine and assist the combat control algorithms, it was difficult to determine what Krasnoyarsk was up to. However, all three operators manning the combat control consoles independently estimated that the Russian submarine was headed east, which made sense. It was resuming its pursuit of Theodore Roosevelt.

More important to Wilson and his crew was the path Krasnoyarsk took as it traveled through operating area Foxtrot. Wilson had bottomed Michigan in a depression almost due east of Krasnoyarsk, which meant the Russian submarine would pass by a short distance away. This was bad news, and good news.

The bad news was that the probability that Krasnoyarsk’s crew would detect Michigan playing possum on the sea bottom increased as the Russian submarine drew nearer. The good news was that if Krasnoyarsk failed to detect and realize Michigan had survived, Wilson and his crew would be in an ideal attack position after the Russian submarine passed by.

As Wilson filled in the details of the plan forming in his mind, there was a high-pitched chirp from the Conn speaker, signaling that someone was calling the Conn over the submarine’s sound-powered phone system. Wilson had ordered his crew to refrain from using the usual communication systems, which blared reports from speakers throughout the submarine, directing them instead to use the much quieter phone system.

Wilson picked up the handset and placed it to his ear. “Captain.”

“Captain, Engineer. We’ve completed our inspection of the Engineering spaces and there is no noticeable damage.”

Wilson acknowledged the Engineer’s report, then awaited results from the rest of the submarine, which soon arrived. Aside from the towed array and the bottom Fathometer, Michigan had sustained no other damage, as far as they could tell.

Lieutenant Commander Montgomery, still in charge of the Fire Control Tracking Party, approached. “Master one will be at CPA in five minutes.”

A glance at the nearest tactical display indicated that Krasnoyarsk had remained on an eastward course and would soon reach its Closest Point of Approach. It was unclear exactly how far away the Russian submarine would pass, but the estimates being generated on the combat control consoles placed Krasnoyarsk’s CPA at between one thousand and two thousand yards.

A submarine operating normally would definitely have been detectable at that range. Whether Michigan was quiet enough, with most of its machinery deenergized, was the critical question. A single burst of noise could give Michigan away. Shutting a watertight door too forcefully or dropping a wrench onto the submarine’s metal deck plates could be heard thousands of yards away, depending on how quiet the surrounding ocean environment was.

Wilson settled into the Captain’s chair on the Conn, then ordered the Chief of the Watch, “To all stations, no one is authorized to move or touch anything, aside from console controls, until further notice.”

The order went out over the sound-powered phone system, and throughout the submarine, personnel movement ceased.

The watchstanders in the Control Room waited tensely as the Russian submarine drew closer to Michigan, with Montgomery periodically announcing the estimated distance to their adversary.

After reaching twelve hundred yards, Montgomery announced, “Master one is at CPA.”

Wilson shifted his gaze between the Sonar monitor and the tactical displays, searching for any indication that Krasnoyarsk’s crew had realized that Michigan was resting on the bottom a short distance away and hadn’t been sunk. Krasnoyarsk’s tonals and bearing changed steadily, consistent with a contact remaining on the same course and speed.

Montgomery kept reporting the distance to Krasnoyarsk as the submarine continued east, and the tension in the Control Room gradually eased. But Wilson realized they were approaching the most dangerous point, since Krasnoyarsk’s most capable sensor trailed behind the submarine.

Wilson reminded the Control Room watchstanders, “The towed array is passing by now.”

Krasnoyarsk remained steady on an eastern course as Montgomery reported the distance to the Russian submarine in one-hundred-yard intervals. When the Russian submarine opened to three thousand yards and its towed array was about two thousand yards away, with no discernible reaction from Krasnoyarsk, the tension in the Control Room began to fade.

Wilson stood, signaling it was time to get back to work. To the Chief of the Watch, he ordered, “Inform all personnel that normal Battle Stations Torpedo duties may resume. Maintain all communications via the sound-powered phones.”

The word was passed, and after another glance at the target solution for Krasnoyarsk — it was still headed east at about fifteen knots — Wilson decided to prosecute the Russian submarine while in Michigan’s partially crippled state. The turbine generators had been secured, with the battery supplying all vital engineering and tactical loads. The lineup was sufficient to engage an adversary, but full propulsion was not possible without the turbine generators and the reactor coolant pumps they powered. However, Wilson’s plan to sink Krasnoyarsk and avoid counterfire required no propulsion. He gained the attention of the Control Room watchstanders and explained.

“I plan to engage Master one while still in a reduced electrical status. Restoring the electric plant to a normal full power lineup requires bringing the turbine generators online, and I don’t want to risk their tonals being detected. I also don’t want to let Master one open range much farther before engaging. For my plan to work, we need to shoot soon, while Master one is still close.

“As I’m sure you’ve just noted, without the turbine generators, we can’t evade at ahead flank. But even with full propulsion available, starting from all stop, we wouldn’t be able to evade an incoming torpedo if we’re fired upon from a range this close. Instead, once we shoot, we’ll drop back down into the depression we’re currently hiding in. It worked before and hopefully it’ll work again if Master one counterfires. Any questions?”

There were none, so Wilson announced, “Firing Point Procedures, Master one, tube Two.”

The Executive Officer stopped briefly behind each of the combat control consoles, examining the target solution on each one, finally tapping the middle fire control technician, who sent his solution to Weapon Control.

Montgomery called out, “Solution Ready!”

The Fire Control Technician at the Weapon Launch Console sent the course, speed, and range of their target to their MK 48 torpedo in tube Two, along with the desired search presets.

The Weapons Officer announced, “Weapon Ready!”

Lieutenant Resor reported, “Countermeasures are armed. Ship Ready!”

With Michigan one button push away from launching a torpedo, Wilson issued the critical order, bringing the guided missile submarine off the bottom.

“Dive, engage Hovering. Set depth at two-five-zero feet.”

The Diving Officer relayed Wilson’s order to the Chief of the Watch, seated at the Ballast Control Panel, who dialed in 250 feet and energized the submarine’s Hovering system. Blue circles illuminated on the Ballast Control Panel, indicating that valves in the hull were opening. The Chief of the Watch called out periodically as the submarine’s hovering pumps pushed water from Michigan’s variable ballast tanks, increasing the submarine’s buoyancy.

At the forty-thousand-pound mark, Michigan began righting itself from its port list, then rose from the sea floor. Shortly after rising above three hundred feet, Sonar reported, “Gained Master one on the spherical array, direct path.”

Wilson had bottomed Michigan on a course of zero-seven-zero, pointed in what was now Krasnoyarsk’s direction. Now that Michigan was rising above the nearby coral reef, its bow sonar array had a clear view of the Russian submarine and the torpedo tube openings in the bow were likely clear of the reef. Wilson had ordered a depth of 250 feet — an extra fifty feet higher than they would likely need — just in case.

“On ordered depth, two-five-zero feet,” the Diving Officer announced.

After one final assessment of the tactical situation, Wilson confirmed Michigan was ready to launch its torpedo. Although he had explained his plan to drop back into the depression they’d been hiding in, Krasnoyarsk likely wouldn’t be able to counterfire at all.

Wilson was hoping that Russian torpedoes had similar safety features as U.S. torpedoes. One of those safeguards was Anti-Circular Run, or ACR, which would prevent torpedo launch if the course being sent to the torpedo would turn it around after launch, placing the firing submarine in the torpedo sonar’s acquisition cone. As intelligent as modern torpedoes were, they couldn’t discern friend from foe and would lock onto any target that met the criteria. As a result, ACR interlocks were incorporated to ensure a torpedo, once launched, was disabled if it turned far enough so that it was looking back at the firing submarine.

With Michigan almost directly behind Krasnoyarsk, the Russian submarine would likely be prevented from counterfiring until it had turned far enough to clear the ACR constraint, so that its torpedo could turn in Michigan’s direction without seeing Krasnoyarsk. That would take time. Time Wilson hoped the Russian submarine crew wouldn’t have.

Satisfied that the tactical situation was satisfactory, he issued the order.

“Match sonar bearings and shoot!”

The torpedo was impulsed from tube Two, and Sonar monitored the torpedo, ensuring it was operating correctly. Once the final report was received, Wilson issued the next command, moving Michigan to a safer position.

“Dive, set Hovering to four hundred feet.”

The order was relayed to the Chief of the Watch, who adjusted the Hovering system depth setting, then monitored its operation as water was flooded into the variable ballast tanks.

Slowly, Michigan sank back into the bottom depression.

“Command Post, Hydroacoustic. Torpedo launch transient, bearing two-nine-zero!”

Before Novikov could react, Hydroacoustic called out, “Torpedo in the water, bearing two-nine-zero!”

Novikov spun toward the hydroacoustic display. A bright white trace was burning in on their towed array aft beam. Based on the intensity of the trace, the torpedo was close.

The American submarine hadn’t been sunk, after all. Krasnoyarsk’s torpedo must have hit something else, or perhaps had not fatally damaged their adversary.

“Steersman, ahead flank!”

As the steersman rang up maximum propulsion, Novikov selected the optimal evasion course. They were already headed away from the torpedo, which was almost directly behind them, so only a slight change in course was required.

“Steersman, right full rudder, steady course one-four-zero. Launch torpedo decoy!”

Krasnoyarsk swung around as a decoy was launched, which gave Novikov hope until Hydroacoustic’s next report. “Torpedo has gone active!”

The torpedo going active so soon told Novikov it had been fired from close range, which meant it would lock onto Krasnoyarsk before the submarine could open distance from its decoy. It would also catch up to Krasnoyarsk soon. He had to get a torpedo out quickly.

“Counterfire, bearing two-nine-zero, tube Five! Set short-range tactics.”

A target solution would not be sent to the torpedo. Instead, it would be fired down the bearing of the torpedo launch.

“Torpedo is homing!”

Novikov remained focused on preparing their torpedo for firing. The torpedo tube was flooded and muzzle door already open. He waited for the Weapons Officer’s report, which was delayed for some reason.

“Torpedo not ready!” the Weapons Officer finally called out. “Circular Run Interlock is engaged!”

Novikov glanced at Krasnoyarsk’s heading as it settled out at the ordered evasion course: one-four-zero. With the torpedo course after launch set at two-nine-zero, the torpedo could not be launched until Krasnoyarsk turned another forty degrees.

“Thirty seconds to impact!” Hydroacoustic reported.

“Steersman, right hard rudder! Steady course one-nine-zero!” Novikov added an extra ten degrees to the turn to ensure the interlock cleared.

The Steersman yanked the rudder control hard right, kicking Krasnoyarsk back into another turn to starboard.

“Fifteen seconds to impact!”

Novikov checked the submarine’s course, assessing how long before the interlock cleared. He figured it would take another twenty seconds.

They didn’t have twenty seconds.

Novikov realized that Michigan’s Captain had planned it perfectly, waiting until Krasnoyarsk had passed by, firing from close range, giving Novikov and his crew insufficient time to respond before the incoming torpedo caught up to them.

Ten seconds later, the Command Post was filled with the deafening sound of an explosion. Krasnoyarsk jolted forward violently, knocking Novikov to the deck. As he pulled himself to his feet, the flooding alarm sounded from Compartments Eight and Nine. The normal white lighting in the Command Post extinguished a moment later, replaced by yellow emergency lights. Novikov felt his submarine slow and tilt upward as the sea poured into the aft compartments. With two compartments flooded, not even an Emergency Blow could keep them afloat.

Krasnoyarsk was going to the bottom.

“Conn, Sonar. Detect torpedo explosion, bearing one-six-three.”

There was no need for Sonar’s report, since the sound of the explosion had just reverberated through Michigan’s hull.

Moments earlier, Michigan’s Chief of the Watch had taken manual control of the Hovering system, slowing the eighteen-thousand-ton submarine’s rate of descent as it approached the sea bottom. Michigan had landed with a dull thud accompanied by only minor metallic groans from the submarine’s structure.

Another low rumbling sound passed through Michigan’s hull. Sonar reported their assessment. “Conn, Sonar. Master one has impacted the sea floor.”

It appeared that their adversary had been sunk, eliminating any immediate threat to Michigan’s safety, so Wilson focused on returning his submarine to full operational status.

Picking up the Conn microphone, he contacted the Engine Room. “Maneuvering, Conn. Shift the electric plant to a normal full power lineup.”

The Engineering Officer of the Watch acknowledged the order, and Wilson waited until the turbine generators had been brought online and full power restored.

“Dive, set Hovering to two hundred fifty feet.”

The Diving Officer complied and Michigan rose from the bottom of the Persian Gulf again. After they cleared the coral reef, Wilson ordered, “Sonar, Conn. Report all contacts.”

A moment later, Sonar reported, “Hold only Virginia-class submarines to the south and Theodore Roosevelt to the west. Hold no foreign warships.”

It looked like the third Akula had been sunk.

Although Michigan didn’t own operating area Foxtrot, Wilson decided to keep his submarine in the area in case another Russian submarine attempted to approach within firing range of Theodore Roosevelt. However, he decided it’d be prudent to let the U.S. ASW commander know that Michigan was in Foxtrot, so friendly forces didn’t accidentally attack.

“All stations, Conn,” Wilson announced. “Make preparations to come to periscope depth.”