science

Photonics mast

Photonics mast is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Photonics mast rather than just read about it. In short: A photonics mast (or optronics mast) is a sensor on a submarine which functions similarly to a periscope without requiring a periscope tube, thus freeing design space during construction and limiting risks of water leakage in the event of damage. A photonics mast replaces the mechanical, line-of-sight viewing system with digital equipment, similar to a digital camera array, and it has fewer locational and dimensiona…

Key takeaways

Photonics mast belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Photonics mast to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Photonics mast from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

A photonics mast (or optronics mast) is a sensor on a submarine which functions similarly to a periscope without requiring a periscope tube, thus freeing design space during construction and limiting risks of water leakage in the event of damage. A photonics mast replaces the mechanical, line-of-sight viewing system with digital equipment, similar to a digital camera array, and it has fewer locational and dimensional constraints than a traditional periscope. Unlike a periscope, it need not be located directly above its user, and it requires only a small pressure hull penetration for cabling. This allows the photonics mast to fit entirely within the sail of the submarine and means the control room need not be placed directly below the sail. A photonics mast operates by rising above the water in a manner similar to a telescoping antenna and provides information through an array of sensors, such as high-definition low-light and thermographic cameras. Images and information can appear on display panels for analysis. The photonics mast can also support the navigation, electronic warfare, and communications functions of a conventional optical-periscope mast.

Photonics masts by country

Chinese Navy At least the Type 039B/C submarines are fitted with photonics masts.

French Navy The Marine Nationale's new nuclear attack submarines, the Suffren class, comes with an optronics mast with the following sensors:

High resolution day camera 3rd generation MWIR camera in 3-5 μm band Low light level camera (LLLTV) for night use in the visible spectrum with anti-glare system Laser rangefinder The mast is manufactured by Sagem (now Safran). The same mast can be found on the export oriented Scorpène-class conventional attack submarines made by Naval Group.

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force The Sōryū-class submarine is equipped with the CM010 optronics mast.

Royal Navy The Royal Navy tested an optronic mast on the Trafalgar-class HMS Trenchant in 1998. Astute-class nuclear attack submarines are equipped with two Thales CM010 optronics mast similar in capabilities to the Sagem model in French use.

Russian Navy The Yasen and Borei-class submarines are fitted with photonics masts developed by Shvabe, a subsidiary of Rostec. The Elektropribor Central Research Institute has also developed the Parus-98 photonics mast for the conventional Lada-class submarines and the export market (Parus-98E).

United States Navy

In 2004, the United States Navy began fitting photonics masts to Virginia-class submarines. According to the US Navy:

In Virginia-class boats, traditional periscopes have been supplanted by two Photonics Masts that house color, high-resolution black and white, and infrared digital cameras atop telescoping arms. With the removal of the barrel periscopes, the ships’ control room has been moved down one deck and away from the hull’s curvature, affording it more room and an improved layout that provides the commanding officer with enhanced situational awareness.

References

External links

US Navy Fact Sheet, Attack Submarines How Photonics Masts Will Work - from HowStuffWorks

Illustrations

Photonics mast: A photonics mast aboard a Virginia-class submarine — A photonics mast aboard a Virginia-class submarine

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Photonics mast

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Photonics mast claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Photonics mast before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Photonics mast ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Photonics mast

In research: Photonics mast appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Photonics mast in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Photonics mast is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Optoelectronics, Submarine components, Submarine design, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Photonics mast outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Photonics mast in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Photonics mast means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Photonics mast out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Photonics mast in simple terms?

Why does Photonics mast matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Photonics mast?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Photonics mast.