Deep Research Submarine

Abstract

The Deep Sea Research Submarine (Figure 1) is a modified VIRGINIA Class Submarine that incorporates a permanently installed Deep Sea Operations Compartment (Figure 2). Table 1 summarizes the characteristics of the Deep Sea Research Submarine and the Deep Sea Operations Compartment. The compartment, inserted as a 46-ft parallel midbody section, carries a heavy lift system capable of retrieving a 15-ton object (submerged weight) from depths greater than 2400 ft. A 26-ft L x 22-ft H x 12-ft W payload bay external to the pressure hull is used to house the object for transport. This payload bay also serves as a fully functioning mid-ship Main Ballast Tank. The compartment is supported by a combination of ship service and compartment-specific auxiliary systems.

Figure 1. Deep Sea Research Submarine

The compartment also contains a 16 ft diameter x 17 ft high Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Chamber outfitted with a Triton ZX ROV capable of excursions to depths of 9800 ft. The ROV Chamber permits dry access to the ROV for maintenance and mission-related tasks. The control center for the lift system and the ROV and a "mission flexible" space are located on the compartment's upper deck

Figure 2. Deep Sea Operations Compartment

Table 1. Deep Sea Research Submarine and Deep Sea Operations Compartment Principle Characteristics

Deep Sea Research Submarine

Length 423 ft Diameter 34 ft Draft 28 ft 5 in Speed Reduction 11% Surfaced Displacement 7861 lton Submerged Displacement 8870 lton LCG 192.06 ft GMT 1.05 ft Reserve Buoyancy 12.8%

Deep Sea Operations Compartment

Length 46 ft NSC Weight 999.1 lton Submerged Lifting Capacity 14.7 lton Maximum ROV Depth 9800 ft Maximum Retrieval Depth > 2400 ft Conversion Cost 20 % as Percentage of Baseline Virginia Cost Estimated Conversion Cost $650 millio