Aamir Hussain
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
Seat Trials are based upon the following steps that may require more sub steps depending upon each customer. The Sea Trials generally also include builders rep including engineering and systems specialists and in attendance is a sub support vessel and might at some point in time include specialized acoustic noise plotting platforms. The sea going trials can last up to six months depending upon the findings of the initial trials. After each phase of the trials, data is studied, if anything is to be remedied then it is done. However if it requires major work up, it may require dry docking.
1. Submerging and Diving:
1. Submerging and Diving:
- The submarine is submerged for the first time, with a diving support ship in attendance, allowing the crew to test the diving and surfacing procedures and the stability i.e. "Trim" of the vessel at different depths.
- This involves hydrostatic testing, ensuring the hull can withstand the pressure at various depths. Including diving to the design depth and holding for a specified time as outlined in the design parameters agreed to by the builder and customer.
- The submarine performs high-speed runs on the surface and submerged, testing its speed, maneuverability, and handling characteristics.
- This includes crash dive and stops, where the submarine abruptly reverses direction to assess its braking and stability. That is generally known as Crazy Ivan Maneuver in the sub fraternity.
- Emergency procedures are tested, such as emergency surfacing, essentially checking the ballast tanks performance including emergency flooding, and loss of propulsion and power, to ensure the crew can handle unexpected situations safely.
- These drills may include sudden emergency reversals, which can be challenging for subs due to their instability at high speeds.
- Fire fighting equipment testing including checking of major fire fighting elements within each compartment.
- Emergency evacuation systems including escape compartments are also flooded and simulated escape is also exercised to check all systems are working. The first leg of this phase is done alongside in port when the both the the inner and outer hatches are checked proper vacuum seal.
- All onboard systems, including propulsion, navigation, communication, and life support, are thoroughly tested to ensure they function correctly. At this point in time depending upon the customer, sonar and other detection elements are also run through their phases. This may require external surface and sub surface help. Decoy deployments is also checked and verified. Flank array or the reeled out are also deployed and checked.
- This includes checking for leaks, vibrations and vibration noise (Acoustics), and proper operation of all equipment.
- Torpedo tubes are also flooded and torpedo handling equipment including safety equipment is thoroughly checked. However, most customers conduct armament and associated systems checks as a separate protocol and not part of the initial sea going trials.
- The sea trial also assesses the crew's ability to operate the submarine effectively and safely under various conditions. Presumably the crew has already been trained in Shore based static mockups and training simulators or real subs attached to them as under training officers or ratings.
- This includes evaluating their response to emergency situations and their overall teamwork and coordination. This will remain an ongoing exercise till joining the fleet and afterwards. It takes quite a while to master all the systems and sub systems of a sub.
- After the sea trial, a thorough inspection of the submarine is conducted to identify any issues or damage that may have occurred during testing.
- This ensures that any necessary repairs or adjustments can be made before the submarine is formally delivered or accepted.
- This takes quite a bit of time and the leadership team of the sub (The customers designated officers and crew) have to ensure that everything is minutely recorded and any discrepancy between agreed parameters and actual performance is highlighted and rectified. It is an exhaustive exercise and I can only imagine the language barrier (as we faced with the French until we built one in PN dockyard) is very strenuous work. All these documents/reports and rectification updates and further performance tests reports by the designated captains and divisional officers are made part of the subs permanent docs.
