Nuclear Submarine Propeller Spotted with Virtual Earth
Wed, Sep 5, 2007
Nuclear Submarines are built around stealth and speed. In games of underwater cat and mouse that these subs often play, the sub that generates the least amount of noise has the greatest advantage. It is so important in fact that usually a cover is placed over the propeller systems of these submarines when they are in dry dock.
Thats why it came as such a surprise when Dan Twohig happened upon a Ohio Class Nuclear Submarine with its propeller exposed. Although the image has been public for over 2 months it remains unchanged.
I guess the Navy did not count on Microsoft’s Live Search Maps allowing the world access to the satellite images from orbiting cameras. As far as I know, images of this type should be classified. Instead, this information is available to anyone with an internet connection. I would think that Commanding Officers of military installations would have some person on their staff who takes a look at what is out there and makes recommendations on how to better provide security.
Some theories that because of the age of the Ohio Class subs and the low res nature of the images that the U.S. Navy does not view the image as a security risk. As the information it provides it nothing more can can’t already be found through other sources.
Good thing it wasn’t the Catapiller drive.
[via MonsterMaritime]
Tags: nuclear submarine, virtual earth
Leave a Reply