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CVA02 wrote:

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It's good to know that the RN admitted to it have Dry Deck Shelters and SDVs. Now it's time to figure out why operational submarines were allowed to develop visible rust in the areas of the sail and hull where large numbers of anechoic tiles separated from the hull. Is it beneath the dignity of RN personnel to conduct a bit of "chipping and painting" while in port? Of course, there are other questions: Why do so many tiles seem to separate from the RN's S-class submarines? Why isn't the steel beneath the tiles adequately protected against corrosion to begin with? Are the T and V-classes similarly effected? How soon will it be before we can see a rusty Astute?

If that sub is just returning from sea, it's hardly surprising to see that she would have some cosmetic running rust and missing anechoic tiles. Running rust is trivial -- it has no impact on the ship's lifespan or effectiveness, and it makes no sense to hazard crew to paint it at sea when the sub is on its way into port where it can be rectified safely pierside. As for missing tiles, it's a hard problem. They've yet to come up with an adhesive technology that will hold the tiles on with absolute reliability for months at a time, especially through multiple cycles of the sub's pressure hull compressing and expanding.