Submarines and Freedom of the Press

News regarding U.S. Navy submarines has been managed 95% of the time since at least the late sixties when I qualified. That does not mean there have not been inadvertent, unmanageable slips.

Except for the slips, all this is good for national security and the most economical alternative for taxpayers funding military, black program, high technology.

Were you aware that twenty-five year old machinist Michael Dayton was stationed in Germany? WUPW-TV (Fox Toledo News, Channel 36) reported a local Navy seaman was injured in a submarine explosion in Germany this weekend, where the twenty-five year old machinist was stationed.

The Navy is flying him to a burn center in San Antonio. His mother has been advised that her son is expected to stay in San Antonio for at least two months. Michael was repairing a pump belt. As he was working, a safety valve exploded engulfing him in a "steam fueled blaze" (sic). Flames burned Michael's leg, neck and face. Although he suffered third degree burns, he is expected to make a full recovery. Our prayers are certainly with this young fellow and his family.

As of this writing there has been no statement by public Navy sources. The Sub Report (just checked) has picked up the story. Bravo, Eric!

Now the obvious questions. Was Michael working on one of Germany's AIP subs? Was he working on a U.S. sub in Germany? Was anyone aware of German billets for U.S. submariners?

Over one year ago Molten Eagle advised of AIP to the Rescue. Last April, we speculated about Sweden's HMS Gotland: The Attendant Mysteries. And in November, Molten Eagle advised on the Taiwan AIP submarine issue. The pont? Here is what we said in November:

The DOD sees the big advantages of deploying AIP subs in the U.S. fleet. Unit cost is closer to $100 million than over $2 billion for the latest Virginia class submarines. Operating costs are much lower, as well, without nuclear powerplant operators. While U.S. companies will build these subs, Sweden will not sell upgraded stealth technology to foreign countries, because Sweden will provide AIP and perhaps other key hardware to Electric Boat. The U.S. boats will be between 236 and 256 feet in length, around 3,000 tons displacement and still crewed by 30 sailors (with room for 20 or so SEALs or mission hardware).

Just idle chatter? Then what about this Strategy Page article from March 15, 2007? All comments welcomed, but since submarines are always silent and strange, few substantive comments are expected, only vague explanations to protect the incompetent news handlers. When was the last time one was fired?