Manning the torpedoes - Seven - torpedoes in submarine warfare training - Brief Article

All Hands, April, 2002 by Aaron Ansarov

Weapons not usually seen by surface Sailors rest in the belly of the Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, USS Bremerton (SSN 698). But to Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SS) Brion Lentell, of Jacksonville, Fla. The Advanced Capability (ADCAP) MK 48 torpedo is the one thing he sees more than the surface itself.

Our job is to maintain the weapons at all times," said Lentell.

Painted orange to indicate that these are exercise torpedoes, the only thing missing on them are the warheads. "We are continually training with these," said Lentell. "In the event, we'd need a real one the only difference would be the color -- and the final result."

In this time of war, weapons training, such as that done with the MK 48 torpedo, is more important than ever to maintain the silent service's lethal readiness.