Nuclear Sub Added to Search
Now that HMS Tireless, the oldest active member of the Trafalgar class, has been added to the search, do we need to reconsider the usefulness of such an asset in light of lessons learned with AF447? In the AF case, the open literature suggests the on-board acoustic sensors were unable to locate the black boxes but we now know that the pinger on the CVR was defective when finally recovered. Perhaps some of the bright boys have added functionality, within the limits imposed by the physics of the actual sensors, to detect relevant frequencies. Sadly, Tireless, once scheduled to be retired last year, is also the only Trafalgar class not to retrofitted with the Sonar 2076 system, which the RN claims is the most advanced in the world. Seems like an odd choice on the surface (pun?) but perhaps in this case older is better while avoiding revealing just how good the new kit is.