This 1970s color film (probably 1978), produced by the field photographic unit of the U.S. Naval Underwater Systems Center (NUSC) in Newport, Rhode Island, focuses on containerized, automated torpedo carrying systems designed for Los Angeles-class “688” submarines (TRT 8:55).
Opening titles. A seal: “Department of the Navy Underwater Systems Center” and “the Naval Underwater Systems Center Presents Motion Picture Report No. 185” (0:07). A fleet of distant naval craft. A zoom in reveals a US navy aircraft carrier. A Los Angeles-class, 688 series nuclear-powered fast attack submarine boat (SSN) (0:23). A bird’s eye view of the NUWC in Newport, Rhode Island circa the 1970s. Inside a “launcher laboratory,” engineers stand on opposite ends of an automated weapons carrier for Mark 48 torpedo and SUBROC weapons systems (0:58). The SSN 688 reappears, surfacing in the ocean, leaving a white wake behind it (1:20). An illustrated cutaway of an automated weapons carrier (AWC) shows a full-capacity supply of torpedoes ready for launch. Torpedo elevators are highlighted. A maximum density of 35 weapons is projected, then 30. Elevator placement is again highlighted in ¾ profile (1:27). An overhead illustration shows the placement and angle of the torpedo tubes (2:26). The location of backup weapon storage is highlighted. A series of drawings illustrate how the elevators move and circulate backup torpedoes into firing tube position (2:45). A prototype AWC in the launcher laboratory lowers to the level of two engineers. One engineer works a button on a hydraulic lift (3:41). Closeup on a hydraulic drive and “rammer chain” of the AWC load line platform. A red, circular tube door is removed by hand. An engineer installs an extension tract. Split screen shots show a locking mechanism in action (4:00). An engineer pulls a lever. The AWC tube slides smoothly through a tunnel on a loading track (5:10). An engineer wearing glasses observes the load in closeup. A slow walk alongside the blue tinted AWC system (5:41). The breach door during loading. Cheerful xylophone music plays. A torpedo mounted dispenser in closeup. A locking lever (6:09). The loading process in reverse illustrates unloading procedures. The rammer is attached, a “load” button is pressed, the tube extracts a torpedo into the AWC, backwards along the track (6:44). A green torpedo, stenciled “Inert Warhead” glides past the camera during the loading process (7:51). Engineers walk along scaffolding surrounding a 688 submarine in a drydock (8:26). End titles. A “USC” logo featuring a seahorse (8:37).
The Los Angeles-class 688 submarines depicted in this film were produced from 1972-1996, and remain in commission, with a top speed between 38-43 mph. The Mark 48 torpedo is a heavyweight weapon designed to sink deep-diving submarines and high-performance surface ships. It debuted in 1972 and remains in use on 688 subs as well as those of the Ohio, Seawolf, and Virginia class attack submarines. A 1992 consolidation of Navy labs resulted in the USC becoming part of what is now known as the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC).
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