SSN-22 USS 코네티컷, 남중국해에서 미상물체와 충돌, 부상자 11명

[위종민]

UPDATED: Attack Submarine USS Connecticut Suffers Underwater Collision in South China Sea - USNI News

10월 2일 오후 SSN-22 USS 코네티컷이 남중국해 공해에서 작전 중 수중에서 미상물체와 충돌해 괌으로 복귀하고 있다고 지난 목요일 태평양함대 대변인이 밝혔습니다. 

11명의 부상자가 발생했다고 하네요. 

UPDATED: Attack Submarine USS Connecticut Suffers Underwater Collision in South China Sea

USS Connecticut (SSN-22) arrives at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan for a scheduled port visit on July 31, 2021. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated with additional details on the injuries to the crew of USS Connecticut and the location of the collision.

Almost a dozen sailors have been injured after a U.S. nuclear attack submarine hit an unknown underwater object in the South China Sea, USNI News has learned.

The Seawolf-class nuclear attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN-22) suffered an underwater collision while operating in international waters on Oct. 2 and is returning to port in U.S. 7th Fleet, a U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman confirmed to USNI News on Thursday.

“The Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN-22) struck an object while submerged on the afternoon of Oct. 2, while operating in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region. The safety of the crew remains the Navy’s top priority. There are no life-threatening injuries,” Capt. Bill Clinton told USNI News.
“The submarine remains in a safe and stable condition. USS Connecticut’s nuclear propulsion plant and spaces were not affected and remain fully operational. The extent of damage to the remainder of the submarine is being assessed. The U.S. Navy has not requested assistance. The incident will be investigated.”

A defense official told USNI News about 11 sailors were hurt in the incident with moderate to minor injuries. The attack boat is now headed to Guam and is expected to pull in within the next day, the official said. The underwater strike occurred in the South China Sea and the attack boat has been making its way to Guam on the surface since Saturday, a defense official confirmed to USNI News.

The Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Wash., based submarine deployed on May 27 for the Pacific, the Navy announced at the time. The service has released photographs of the submarine operating in the Western Pacific with port calls in Japan in late July and August. U.S. 7th Fleet commander Adm. Karl Thomas visited the submarine in August, according to the service.

Connecticut is one of three Sea Wolf-class boats, a late Cold War attack submarine designed to hunt the most complex Soviet submarines in deep blue water. Along with USS Sea Wolf (SSN-21) and USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23), Connecticut is among the Navy’s most capable and sensitive attack boats.

The last known instance where a submerged U.S. submarine struck another underwater object was in 2005. Then, USS San Franciso (SSN -711) struck an underwater mountain at full speed near Guam. One sailor died in the incident.

The following is the complete Oct. 7 statement from Pacific Fleet.

The Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN 22) struck an object while submerged on the afternoon of Oct. 2, while operating in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region. The safety of the crew remains the Navy’s top priority. There are no life-threatening injuries.

The submarine remains in a safe and stable condition. USS Connecticut’s nuclear propulsion plant and spaces were not affected and remain fully operational. The extent of damage to the remainder of the submarine is being assessed. The U.S. Navy has not requested assistance. The incident will be investigated.”

[백선호]

중국 잠수함과 충돌했겠죠. 냉전 때 미국과 영국 잠수함이 소련 잠수함과 부딪히면 대개 빙산, 암초 등등과 부딪혔다고 둘러댔습니다.

[위종민]

영국-프랑스 SSBN 충돌건처럼 우방국끼리 난 사고면 그냥 밝히겠지만 적성국끼리 난 사고니..

[Minowski(김유철)]

미중갈등이 증폭되는 과정에서 가장 신뢰할 수 있는 씨울프급 핵잠하나가 일시적으로 공백을 일으키는 것은 뼈아프겠네요.

[달을찾는파도(박수홍)]

그렇다면 중국놈들도 원잠 한 척 파손 당했을 것이군요