Two Tench-class boats, Odax and Pomodon, were converted as prototypes for the GUPPY program in 1947.
They proved very successful, though not initially fitted with snorkels.
Pomodon achieved 17.9 knots (33.2 km/h; 20.6 mph) submerged on trials, though even the increased battery capacity only allowed one hour of operation at that speed.
However, banking and depth control problems resulting from the high speed were noted and eventually compensated for.
An advantage of streamlining was that active sonar detection range against a GUPPY was reduced by about 10%, and the higher submerged speed also severely impacted anti-submarine warfare efforts.
Two Tench-class boats, Odax and Pomodon, were converted as prototypes for the GUPPY program in 1947. They proved very successful, though not initially fitted with snorkels. Pomodon achieved 17.9 knots (33.2 km/h; 20.6 mph) submerged on trials, though even the increased battery capacity only allowed one hour of operation at that speed. However, banking and depth control problems resulting from the high speed were noted and eventually compensated for. An advantage of streamlining was that active sonar detection range against a GUPPY was reduced by about 10%, and the higher submerged speed also severely impacted anti-submarine warfare efforts.
Tench-class submarine