Attack submarines need better and faster SONAR and Fire Control equipment, according to the commander of one boat that ran afoul of "obsolete" technology during recent exercises with an ally. During training with Chilean Navy German-built diesel submarines, USS Montpelier (SSN-765) discovered that bigger and nuclear is not always better. The skipper of the Montpelier tells a Navy Submarine League conference audience that the diesel boat "shot" him twice during successive exercise runs. "The third time we decided to get more patient and waited for him (the Chilean) to make a mistake," Cmdr. Ron LaSilva says.
From the encounter with the Chileans, whom LaSilva described as professional and well-prepared, the Navy has learned again that it cannot underestimate the stealth capability of a modern diesel submarine. With advances coming in battery and motor technology that will grant future diesel boats long endurance, and with the proliferation of these ships, the littorals will become increasingly dangerous for U.S. submarines. Some diesel subs come readily equipped with the latest in broadband SONAR and computer processing capability that rivals U.S. systems. LaSilva urged continued developments in SONAR processing and command and control systems for Navy boats, coupled with a healthy dose of humility and caution in future operations.