Submarines - Extreme Technology - Big Bigger Biggest
At 171 metres long, the USS Pennsylvania is the biggest submarine in the US Navy. It can dive deeper than a thousand feet, sail for 20 years without refuelling, and remain submerged for up to 6 months. The vessel carries a crew of 155 men and a deadly nuclear arsenal. The film investigates how this submarine was made possible through a series of six historic engineering breakthroughs. We explore the inner workings of six landmark submarines, including the tiny Turtle and colossal German U-Boats. Each features a major technological innovation that allowed engineers to build bigger submarines, including the development of underwater breathing, torpedo’s, missile launch systems, and stealth technology. Using computer-generated imagery this film reveals the incredible stories behind these machines and the inventions that have allowed them to grow in size. Six ingenious leaps forward enabling submarines to evolve, from BIG, to BIGGER, into the US Navy’s BIGGEST.
00:00 Introduction
03:11 Breathing Underwater - Turtle Submersible Vessel
13:23 Manoeuvrability - H L Hunley
19:48 Torpedo - U-66 German U-Boat
25:32 Power - USS Nautilus (SSN-571)
32:08 Nuclear Strike - USS George Washington (CVN-73)
39:49 Stealth - USS Pennsylvania (SSBN-735)
Episode from the “Big Bigger Biggest” documentary series exploring the engineering breakthroughs that have enabled us to develop some of the largest structures in existence.
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This is the kind of production I want to see on television. A perfectly crafted documentary, from authentic footage and experiments to animations. Incredibly fascinating. I enjoyed every minute of it.
These are old TV shows ☺️ I remember swing Big Bigger Biggest on TV 20 years ago or more, on Discovery Channel or National Geographic can't remember which channel
The sound effects made it very entertaining.😁
they made weapons of mass destruction sound sexy
Way too much 'Big Bigger Biggest' graphics combined with loud clunking noises for my liking.
@@breakthecycle5238 Yes! Like when they were putting on the fuel tanks on that fuel sub..
I absolutely enjoyed every single minute of this video, WELL DONE to the people who made this video.
8hpg
Yes, knowing how Armageddon can be unleashed upon fellow humans is so uplifting and heartwarming...
@@jimbob-robob It is, if you also know that the reason we enjoy peace is because of these weapons of mass destruction.
Cycling shorts?
it's because it's from the 90s or early 00s, when tv was still good
This sent me way back, to watching these as a young child, and where my love of engineering began. Thank you
I've never had anything to do with the Marines, Ships, or Submarines, but this is a fantastic video production. Thank you. 👋👋
I served for 20 years on submarines, and my last one was an Ohio-Class SSBN. An absolute beast.
Ohio>:)
@@jack1979o shut up normie
I did 10 years on Frigates ASW. Glad we're on the same team 🤝
Ive always been curious about this, what was your guys food like? In boot, we had a recruit who complained about the food and one of our Di's chewed him out and said something like "If you wanted good food you should have joined the Airforce or tried for the subs, in my Corps you eat what you get and you learn to love it!" On that day I also learnt that the heating packs for food were supposedly for officers, LOL . Which of course was not true, but became the norm much later when we would field strip our MRES to cut weight.
@@jack1979o yes, ohio high in the middle and round on both ends :-)
The format of this, bouncing between the original ideas and how they've evolved and are applied today, is fantastic.
Jet figts
I remember watching this when I was 8 or 9, completely awestruck of the engineering and the power of this submarine. This show sparked my imagination of what could be built and the boundaries that could be pushed. Amazing show
Andrew needs to start a KZhead channel. I’d love to hear him explain all manner of science.
kzhead.info/sun/qpawmZqMa4JvYI0/bejne.html he's a regular on the royal institute
Submarines are fascinating to me. So much power, responsibility, and advanced stealth capabilities in a tube that can hold over 100 men and go so deep its almost unfathomable in my eyes. Imagine no windows, no sunshine, and no loved ones for 6 months at a time.
Did you say. . . "unfathomable"?😉
@@eyesuckle lol
@@eyesuckle Yes it's a word Look up the definition
@@eyesuckle unfathomable- incapable of being fully explored or understood or impossible to measure the extent of.
@@nathanpell-cook4122 Whoosh.
What a great trip thru history ❤️ When I first started the video and I saw 46 minutes, i was not sure i’m gonna make it to the end, but actually i’m sad it finished so fast. Great documentary!
My exact thought. I initially thought it would take a couple days to watch it through, but I finished it without even pausing.
Submarines, (and undersea combat) is the closest we’ve gotten here on earth to space combat. Unlike on land, in the deep ocean and in space, the enemy can come from literally any direction.
@@andrewsocial9309 in air combat, and with modern sensors and visual scanners, for the most part you can see your enemy coming from miles away. In the deep ocean or space, it’s pretty much impossible to see your enemies location with the naked eye.
@@glamoroustitanic2184 well i guess space compensates that since someone could be shooting you down from a distance like a moon😂
You can see where your enemy is coming from underwater too
@@glamoroustitanic2184 think about what you said. That’s exactly what space warefare would be like. Blind to everything, unlike Ariel combat.
You aren't blind at all. You just have a different way of seeing, primarily via sonar. You build a literal map of what is around you. And when your boat is quieter, and your sonar more sensitive, and your stack operators better trained with much more experience than the bad guys, the idea of combat isn't scary at all. A real world combat scenario between a US and a Russian sub would go something like this: US sub CO: Is the target solution still up to date? US: Aye aye. Per standing orders we've been in their baffles since they left port. US sub CO: We've just received orders to engage. Flood tubes 1 and 3 and fire when ready. Helm 20 degrees down and hard right rudder on my command. Russian sub sonar operator: Captain, we have a contact directly aft. It's Death.
No wonder why the level of discipline the crew most have to run this incredible piece of art machine. Excellent video
Absolutely. You couldn't get me to step foot inside a submarine, it's way too claustrophobic.
I truly enjoyed this. Every minute. The way this video was crafted from going back in time, I had no idea there was a submarine in the 1700s. Everything about it was just awesome. Thank you
Yes all pretty accurate... but their claim that "rocket engines need air to burn" was completely wrong. They have their own oxidizers inside the missile. The problem is it's difficult to burn under water because of the cooling effect.
@@crocodile2006 sometimes it is "hard" to watch good documentary about a theme you master because you know everything and there is always a few things wrong in every documentary 😁 i feel you
Im a submarine, my pronouns are she, her
@@izzy2815 Wouldn't your pronouns be 5Degrees/Down/Bubble and Blow/Ballast/Tanks
Lies again? Elevate Training Easy Target
Love how enthusiastic the chemists 👨🔬 are in teaching and encouraging learning.
The format of this, bouncing between the original ideas and how they've evolved and are applied today, is fantastic
I usually don't watch videos this long on KZhead, but damn if I didn't watch every second of this one. Very very well made video.
As a crew member on the USS Growler, SSG-577, we served up to 3 months per mission. This was a diesel electric (batteries) boat where air, water and food were all at a premium. Like the "leap 5" boats in this excellent video we had to surface to launch our strategic Regulus missile AND guide them to their designated targets with radar. Upon release of the Polaris boats information we were green with envy, where they had gold and blue crews who swapped every other period at sea we we had black and blue crews (no swapping). Brings back fond memories.
Who the fck needs u? Be a doctor, dentist etc, not a useless trash who takes our taxes
Don’t know if I feel safe or terrified after learning all that. Kudos to the S”quids” of these incredible machines for their service. Makes my Icebreaker time in the 60’s seem like a canoe ride by comparison!!
@First Last Actually submarines used to always be named after a fish - of which a Growler is one (I'm old - no sense of humor left 🙃) .
Gold crew here, you have a right to your envy !! Camping on the beach for days in Hawaii , skin diving , Yep.
And there is that DASO run in Ft. Lauderdale during spring break. Fond memories.
It was very enjoyable to watch.. And very educating.. The experiments was an added touch. Very informative. Thanks
Chapter timestamp/footnote for "32:08 Nuclear Strike - USS George Washington "mentions CVN-73 (CV = Carrier Vessel/Aircraft Carrier, N = Nuclear Propulsion); I think you meant to put the hull designation of the similarly-named submarine instead. The one you're mentioning is SSBN-598 (SS = Submarine/Submersible Ship, B = Ballistic Missile, N = Nuclear Propulsion). I love the video! I used to serve on the same class of submarine featured in this video (SSBN-738 / USS Maryland).
Great catch on the hull number! I didn't see that!
Father of an ex-submariner here, really enjoyed the video, thanks.
I never expected how much I would enjoy this. Props to the makers they know what they are doing.
Бб.
I completely agree with you
Interesting & Enjoyable Good Combination ✌🏻😉👍🏻
No pun intended, right? ;)
@@JD-je3fg yes
Superbly done in every respect, from an ex-ASW operator. Thank you so much.
Thank you for serving. Please, write a book!!
@@j.b.9581 I think that book's already been written, but thank you for your kind compliment.
Amazing, weapons created to destroy fellow humans and continents of their habitation. Sad, so so sad .
What do I have to do to work on a submarine (Schooling? Applying? etc.)
I had the good fortune to be sail boating off Maui when a Los Angeles class submarine surfaced in the waterway between Maui and Lanai. It cruised past me majestically, and then another surfaced and cruised near the first submarine. A few submariners were on deck of both submarines. I lost site of them when I rounded Polihua Beech to continue my day sail. But it was a highlight of my 5 years on Maui. All my nearly 6 decades living near Bremerton, never saw one. Go live on Maui for a few years and see 2 at the same time. Fricking awesome!
I love submarines, especially the U-Boat 🇩🇪 submarines ❤❤
My hat is off to anyone who can endure 75 days at sea, and, underwater. I like my wide open space and sky. Congrats to the men and women who who do this, you are the heroes of the sea.
Superb engineering on single sub hulls for submarines makes them smaller than the double hull design and is more maneuverable with stealth !
Ah yes, quality content I enjoyed every minute of it, thank you
Hey there Audrey 😃!! I wish I had the time & space 2 tell you how exciting it is 4 me 2 watch ur growth on becoming a thru hiker !!! Here is the obvious and then there are the subtle nuances. For me it is very exciting, wonderous and amazing !!! Someday you too will watch it and see it in someone else watching them do their video. Knowing what you know about thru-hiking. I'm watching you metamorphose and it brings me great great JOY 👋👏☺️. NOT every one that does a thru hike grows !! Even if they are enjoying trail ... I can't explain it in a concise way. As a teacher you would have been disappointed in my scholastic achievements or lack of !! I may not have a great vocabulary. But I've learned there's many kinds of smart 🤓 So thank you 4 sharing ur journey 🙏 !!!!!! I've truly enjoyed ur videos 😅. So, peace and keep on rocking the free world 🌍 🤠👍🏽 & ATB2U !!!
What a way to tell a story with complementing animation about the technology transformation. Thank you! I have enjoyed a lot while watching it. Wish for more informative videos similar to this in technology transformation. Thanks!
Submariner here as well…USS Florida (G)…it was great seeing the Pennsylvania and her crew here! Very good video explaining the technology of the ship at a high level.
well done. many thanks from me Apo, for sure thank you i appreciate
I'm not sure when this documentary was written, but propellers (propulsion units) have come a long way since this tech. Fully shrouded water pumps are used now, with a turbine designed to minimise localised water pressure drops (which lead to cavitation). It's all very advanced now.
@Alex462047, it was originally from 2009, so probably filmed in the mid 2000’s.
All our submarines are built by General Dynamics Electric Boat in RI ! It takes almost 5000 people mostly welders to create these boats. Best job in the world with the best Teams of CoWorkers along with the Navy’s Inspectors and engineers on site !
I've played this while I sleep, I was clapping in my dreams at the ending sequence. Totally magnificent.
Much appreciate for such a comprehensive demonstration. Thanks and plz keep doing ❤
Among so many documentaries introducing nuclear submarine, this is the best! Especially, the use of CGI is doing its job perfectly.
This is a truly insightful piece keep up the good work to the people who made this
You're profile picture says you shouldn't be watching nerd stuff. Are you a Unicorn?
I love the little James Bond music in the background
absoulout brilliance in technology
From a turtle developed into a highly sophisticated underwater war machine that not only can bring enormous destruction to enemy naval fleet but also to our earth in a timely manner.
Big bangs make a big mess
@@VirgilTStone Yep, just ask your parents.
I hope one day such devices will be rosted and rotted away and forgotten.
@@tcf70tyrannosapiensbonsai ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
All these sophisticated war machines are to kill people(ourselves), not, lions, not rattle snakes, jaguars? So we can easily wipe ourselves out of existence. if USA, Russia, China have these arsenals and decided to go to a full scale war, it means the earth will be depopulated in days. What is the use? How stupid?
it was really well done documentaries like this that inspired me to get into engineering.
I always looked up to soldiers. And special forces etc.. but i think these Submariners deserve more credit.
The engineers of the old days and bravery. True heroes
I always thought it didn't make sense he couldn't drill through the copper bottom. Although it could have been a harder alloy, I suspect weakness from oxygen deprivation was more the likely culprit. I'm glad this analysis addresses it more fully.
Remember though, he is limited in how much upward force he can generate by the buoyancy of the submarine. As he tries to seat the drill, the drill is also pushing the sub down. Add in natural currents in the water moving him up, down and sideways, and it must have been very frustrating.
@@dmrr7739 Don't forget, he'd have been trying to drill into a sloped surface. That's a nightmare even with a drill press, let alone with all the other issues you're mentioning.
He's using a drill designed to penetrate wood, as that was the expected material - not too surprising since all vessels at that time were of wooden construction. Copper is quite soft as metals go, but a lot more resilient than wood. So you're not going to get through copper plating with a wood drill.
Just the fact that the bit will be sliding around the surface of the metal while he tries to get it started is enough of an issue. Have you done any drilling of holes above water? Under water any work becomes ridiculously complicated.
No leverage in addition to being exausted and needing enough air and strength to make an escape.
Wow, they finally figured it out, thanks to Roswell!!!!! Two thumbs up, Godspeed!!!! Outstanding balance and integration of both Technologies!!!!
wow. it's amazing what genius engineering can do
"Stories that will brighten our day " Yes , this is it
I'm a former Submariner, so, I am biased; but almost every aspect of operating a Submarine is fascinating. The parallels of Submarining to space survivability are interesting as well, but I've seen few people talk about that.
i would like to know how deep she can go
When I was on SSBN-743 (USS Louisiana, she's 8 year's newer than the Pennsylvania) for 6 years, I always imagined myself on a space ship/star trek made the work day tolerable and sometimes fun lol. I was glad to move on to Aviation side of the Navy though NGL haha
I completely enjoyed this. I learned a lot of good information. Thank you
I love how they explained the advancement of technology succinctly.. Que história sobre submarinos espetaculare! Gostei muito e recomendo. .
Stick to one buddy
This was a brilliant video. I was so intrigued. Really enjoyed it. Thanks a lot
This is beyond amazing. I have re-watched the documentary for the 5th time in a row
As a kid I grew up on the beach near Seattle where the Bremerton ship yard is. They would take submarines out in Puget Sound for testing and I would take my 16' ski boat out to watch them. I would be paralleling the submarine, at a distance, when all of a sudden this large, noisy plume of water would spray up meaning the submarine was getting ready to dive. I would tag along and watch it go under until you would never know anything was there. It was kind of creepy, but cool.
the production, content and graphics of this video is exceptional
I used to work on the periscopes on the Los Angeles class subs. I thought these boats were big, until I got to see an Ohio class “boomer”. Now these are big boats. That was back in the 70’s and 80’s. When I retired in 92 the newer scopes didn’t even penetrate the “people tank”. These were inside the sail. They had cameras instead of actually seeing the light coming throughout the tube section to an eyepiece. You just looked at screens. Pretty neat. I got to see into the reactor once, now that topped everything. The only thing they would run out of underwater was food. Submariners are very unique people, it not just for anybody. I almost went that route. All are volunteers. Highly intelligent to start with, and they do years or training.
I almost went into the Navy out of high-school but backed down before signing the papers. The thought of being next to nukes in a metal tube under water was too much for me. I can't even swim! 🤣🤣 Don't get me wrong, I'm fascinated by these machines and how awesome they are. I missed a great opportunity now that I see how safe they are
If you think An Ohio-class is big you should see a Typhoon, it has twice the displacement of an Ohio and the size of a WW2 aircraft carrier.
@@krashd I would love to have seen a typhoon! But today, many are just radioactive hulks. I wonder if any are still in service! Even back in the day, I don’t think they would have let me onboard. I wasn’t important enough to get an invitation!!
Very interesting...the 3D illustration was highly superb 👌 and most of my unanswered questions like how missiles are fired under the water was answered correctly..thanks alot
The process that accelerate the missiles is so strong that it doesnt require air
For big, bigger biggest I would have expected a mention of the Russian Typhoon. By far the largest submarine ever build.
Best explained ever. Thank you !
Thanks Navy for your service!
Very interesting and informative. Amazing technology.
Thank you for giving a detailed yet easy to understand explanation of how and why this horrifying tragedy occurred.
The more I realize how dedicated and amazing Americans were back then. They created all this from scratch, making breakthroughs in invention and technology each time.
Excellent presentation - thank you ❤
This channel is highly underrated !!!!!! This is a true masterpiece that i have never seen before with such a beautiful history and the challenges solved by the engineers. Its beautiful and horrifying at the same time, kudos to its makers and the whole team.
This is a documentary from the 90's.
Yep. It's called Big Bigger Biggest
Fascinating stuff man, its unreal the minds of men and there ability to create.
Great presentation thanks for the hard work that went into this 👍 👏
My son a "nuke" on a fast attack submarine. The engineers on board are incredible and face a huge myriad of challenges everyday and every hour. WE SALUTE YOU!
For those about to rock
I love how they explained the advancement of technology succinctly.
Succ my technology.
After the Type VII U boat, there shouldve been the type XXI that really revolutionaized the entire concept and is the true grandfather of ALL modern submarines. First type U-boat in human history that was from the drawing board designed as meant to be operated 99% underwater rather than as a surface ship, like the earlier U-boats that mostly used to dive for rather short amounts of time, and only to evade destroyers and such... the Type XXI on the other hand, was pretty much designed and built to do everything... while underwater.
Yes the xx1 is to me the first of its kind
Very great teachers in this clip. No way you'll hate physics or chemistry with them.
I was on the Pennsylvania Gold crew when this was made! The Blue crew had the boat at the time!!! Was the top Trident in the fleet for years!
I was on the Nevada Gold Crew just out of DASO trials in the 1980s. It was the top submarine.
What's the difference between Gold and Blue? I mean obviously they are designations, but do they mean anything more than just separate designations?
@@Nevir202 two complete crews who take turns. Boat docks to resupply and she gets a fresh crew as one team leaves and the other boards. No significance to either color; blue and gold are the navy’s colors so those are the two they picked.
@@krash2fast99 thanks much
Excellent history lesson. Thank you.
👍👍👍 YEP.
Popped in for a quick preview of the video and ended up watching the whole damn thing in one go absolutely fascinating video. Great work .
Thanks to the team that put this together
I’m dame glad this Sub is on our side! ❤
Understanding of swimming pool engineering on simple levels. And then also having an excellent internal gyroscope and becoming part of the machine that you're driving.. could you imagine if that just came naturally.
Pennsylvania is my home state. That submarine is HUGE!
What a seriously interesting video. Engineering ideas at their best.
Great video! I have actually sat inside the real Hunley in Charleston, SC. We were doing some instrumentation work with the conservatory. It is TIGHT inside, super scary to think of being on the crew turning the crank in the cold, dark underwater.
The crew of the Hunley had courage beyond any that I can think of in the history of submarines!!!
Lpl0
I live in Charleston. I thought it was still in a tank, to prevent further decay. Never been to the place its located now. I was in Chas when they recovered it out of the mud from the bottom off Sullivan's Island. God Bless Submariners.
Couldn’t stop watching. Just fascinating. Excellent documentary.
Did you hear the fart at 8:57? In the video lmaooo
Dude the voice just added more power to the submarines
Very interesting. I find submarines fascinating. But I don't think I've got what it takes to be in a crew. Perhaps I've watched too many movies. Being hit by one, after seeing their firepower is no joke. Can't imagine what it must be like to be hit inside one when deep underwater. I guess I would rather be turned into dust on land, than face the sinking and inevitable death in the ocean bed. It better be quick, man. Anyways, very cool documentary. Nice work!
If we were all identical it would be a boring world.
@@tallwalls76 society*
@@Mahlak_Mriuani_Anatman no, boring world. You're either 13 or a bot. Keep living in your "society", buckeroo. See how that works out.
If the sub imploded in deep water,I imagine you would probably die quickly. 😉
I mean death by implosion would be instant. It's the drowning part that would be brutal
Woah, this was the most captivating and In depth video I've seen on any topic" 👏😭👏😭👏
What a unique use of fluid mechanics and how cavitation perform mind blowing role in submarine and also love the great engineering who invented such a horrible degsin . Love from Pakistan
Yes bro you are right. I'm currently studying about fluid mechanics it is very useful.
@@uzairchandio8742 It involves application of very core branches of fluid mechanics
That 1776 turtle sub totally has the best sound.
I learned so much on this episode ! So nice
respect to all the submariners... those guys are all heros and brave.
The USS George Washington SSBN598 was originally designed as a Fast Attack submarine in the Thresher/Permit class. Before it was commissioned, it was cut in half and the missile compartment and systems added.
That's incredible; you'd think an SSBN would have to be designed that way from the start and couldn't be modified that extensively.
With a modification like that, i wonder what the test depth was compared to the normal thresher class subs. Its got to be declassifide at this point
Would you go back to the ocean deep I know that it is beautiful down there with all the life that lives in the ocean absolutely stunning created
@@ilonaruru9187 and you ain't gunna see any of it lmao
That's pretty interesting, I didn't know that. I spent a lot of time on the GW when I was in 38A on the Holland. A million years ago it seems. I had my kids later on in my career. They were pretty young when I retired and have no idea what kind of work I used to do. I also was a crane operator on the Alamagordo ARDM-2.
I enjoy all part of it,it was full to interest.
Except for World of Warships, I absolutely love all things subs. - LOL. My math instructor in Navy BOOST served on a sub in WW2 Pacific and was one of the first officers in the nuclear sub program. Retired as an Admiral. He told the best stories and was one heck of a math teacher.
There's a cracking BBC crime drama miniseries set on a submarine called 'Vigil'. It does a pretty good job of conveying the tension that's inherent within life upon a submarine (as well as the excellent writing/acting of course lol)
Amazing technological advances!
Thank you for an interesting and well crafted documentary
US Navy submariner are a special breed of patriot. Smart and brave. Imagine going on a sinking ship.
After this video I learned that it is really difficult to live under a submarine,tucked everything in between those strange machines this is so claustrophobic
Straight up. Remember watching this as a kid like a little less than 10 years ago. USS turtle is burned into my memory
Thnks for the submarine knowledge.
I had a great time watch this
Excellent, I enjoyed the use of history to propel into the next phase and I especially enjoyed the mad scientist who used his experiments to demonstrate principles !
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