BBC made a fascinating documentary called Perisher on the qualifying process for sub captains in the Royal Navy - it's available on YouTube (in the US at least)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1LF2I3fTbY
FirmwareBurner · 5h ago
Why are there firearms on the submarine? Do they open the hatch and shoot at the opponent's submarine in case the torpedos don't work?
potato3732842 · 4h ago
The idea that a navy vessel wouldn't be equipped to provide its own security in port or dispatch an armed team on a launch is a non-starter.
John23832 · 5h ago
Because submarines are still ships that can be boarded. This is more for defense of the crew vs offense.
FirmwareBurner · 5h ago
Firing rounds inside a nuclear submarine? Isn't it like firing a gun inside a plane?
rtkwe · 4h ago
It's definitely a thing you don't do without good reason (enemy boarding action/mutiny) but remember subs are designed to survive nearby explosions underwater; there's redundancy and there's massive amounts of time spent training damage control where your repair or work around damaged systems.
John23832 · 5h ago
Yes. What's wrong with that?
A 9mm, buck shot, or even a 556 (which they are not using on a sub) is not piercing the pressure hull of a submarine. That's before considering all the other mass of metal and matter within the sub.
esseph · 3h ago
5.56 is fine in a sub.
Technically firing a .50 / 12.7mm should be fine for the hull even with API.
Bulkheads are thick.
(Note: SynTech / frangible ammo preferred)
John23832 · 1h ago
I really meant that at the ranges that you would probably be engaging at in a sub (sub 10ft) a 556 is not the correct round to use.
happytoexplain · 5h ago
I mean, I guess there's more risk of ricochets and equipment damage on a sub than a ship? Regardless, a lot of "don't do that" things become "you might have to do that" things in a combat scenario.
exar0815 · 4h ago
There are a lot of things that don't react well to bullets in a submarine. One Jack Ryan comes to mind...
charlieo88 · 1h ago
I grew up watching Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea... those guys were always needing to break out the small arms. Apparently lots of rowdy sea critters looking to get in the boat.
praptak · 5h ago
Possibility of mutiny, sabotage or just someone becoming dangerous because of personal conflicts or mental illness.
dbalatero · 4h ago
Defense while docked at port.
fred_is_fred · 4h ago
Primarily in case a KGB agent (incognito as a cook's mate) wants to stop a mutiny lead by a group of officers and aided by the CIA.
A 9mm, buck shot, or even a 556 (which they are not using on a sub) is not piercing the pressure hull of a submarine. That's before considering all the other mass of metal and matter within the sub.
Technically firing a .50 / 12.7mm should be fine for the hull even with API.
Bulkheads are thick.
(Note: SynTech / frangible ammo preferred)