Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: Expectant_Philosopher on 18/10/2014 15:32:21
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Why couldn't there be a submarine aircraft carrier? Imagine if you will a ship with a large rectangular moon pool, above which inside the ship suspended on racks are aircraft ready to be launched. The ship would lower the aircraft into the water which would then "swim" through the moon pool to the open water. Using their momentum the aircraft would rise to the surface, speed on hydrofoils, transition to air breathing craft and take off from the surface of the sea. Landing, the aircraft would skim the water on hydrofoils, transition to underwater running, and sink into the depths, seeking the moon pool of the underwater carrier. A rack would fold up under the plane and lift it into the ship.
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How much heavier would a plane need to be to survive the high external pressure at the depths you're wanting it to go to. Fine for a cartoon, but not so great for real life. Bad weather would also put more restrictions on when planes can take off and land.
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Aeroplanes don't like water. It gets into the engines and puts the fire out. Floats and hydrofoils are great if you really need them but it requires a lot more power (and skill) to take off from water than land, and landing on water is not for the fainthearted.
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A few submarines have been built to carry aircraft but generally it is not a very happy combination.
Many submarines can launch cruise missiles while submerged I guess they are aircraft of a sort.