From:	Marc Renouf renouf@********.com
Subject:	magical effects for sea-going runners...
Date:	Wed, 17 Mar 1999 09:40:27 -0500 (EST)

On Wed, 17 Mar 1999, Kevin Dole wrote: [on the subject of SSAASW missiles]

> When did they get it working? Last I'd heard, they were still
> getting seeker head problems (but this was several years ago- ASW
> isn't my my "thing"). Have the deployed it yet?

They deployed it in the '80's. It didn't work real well, and
ultimately increased the overall radar cross-section of the mast, making
the sub easier to detect when the mast was deployed (whoops). There have
been numerous rumors that the newer generation of US attack subs will have
a more refined system that works basically the same way.
The problem, however, is that any direct action gives the sub
away. Helicopters don't operate in a vaccuum, and subs are too slow to
get away once they're spotted. If your helicopter just went down at X
location, you can pretty much guarantee that that's a good place to start
looking. Toss an ASROC that way, and watch the fun.

Marc