Submarine Updates & Quote of the Month

Quote of the Month

 "If the Chinese have discovered this, they have found a new way of finding a needle in a haystack." - Geoffrey Thomas, aviation expert, editor in chief  AirlineRatings.comhttp://www.airlineratings.com/

How did China manage this feat first?  There are implications for:  (1) the advanced state of China's submarine detection capabilities; (2) China's previously undisclosed knowledge of MH370's actual location; or, as the man says, (3) incredibly good fortune.  Although the probable correct answer is (2), being able to surpass conventional high-tech gear with "hand held" devices indicates a quatum leap for China's technology, or theft of another Top Secret sonar surveillance design from the U.S.. 

More...
China's Xinhua News Agency reported that the patrol vessel Haixun 01 on Friday detected a "pulse signal" at 37.5 kilohertz (varies slightly near end of battery life) emitted by both the cockpit voice and the flight data recorder aboard the missing plane MH370, in the southern Indian Ocean. Haixun 01 detected a signal again Saturday 1.4 miles from the original ping, and reported flotsam in the vicinity.

The Australian navy's Ocean Shield, with U.S. Navy high-tech sound detectors, headed there when through investigating pings about 345 miles away.

The Chinese crew reportedly picked up the signals using a hand-held sonar device called a hydrophone dangled over the side of a small runabout — something experts said was technically possible but extremely unlikely.

The equipment aboard the Ocean Shield and the HMS Echo are dragged slowly behind each ship over long distances and are considered far more sophisticated than those the Chinese crew was using. 

Submarine (USS MIAMI) Update

M.E.'s Prediction (June 11, 2012):  "Escalating annual costs of repair (compared to original estimates) in the government-owned shipyard whose negligence contributed to the fire in the first place."

•  Original (2012) estimated cost to repair USS Miami (SSN-775) $450,000,000.
•  Now (2014) revealed estimate to repair USS Miami (SSN-775) $700,000,000. 

To Portray USS Miami Arsonist inTV Movie?

Casey James Fury, a civilian painter/sandblaster working on USS Miami, was indicted on two counts of arson after he confessed to starting a ruinous fire on the nuclear sub. Fury admitted setting the May 2012 fire to get out of work early.  He was subsequently sentenced to 17 years imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution of $400 million.

 
Actor Aaron Paul performed a critically acclaimed role as Jesse Pinkman in AMC's hit series Breaking Bad.   Perfect!

Submarines are always silent and strange.