"Mixed in with the history are explanations on the complicated oceanography, operations analysis and technical theory to assist the serious student in understanding just how modern sub-hunters are able to track and destroy their prey."

Helicopter International - January-February 2023

It is clear from the start of this work that Michael Glynn a veteran U.S. Navy submarine hunting pilot, is expert at his former trade! He has amassed 2500 flight hours during many global deployments on three principal aircraft types e.g. T45c US Navy/Marine Corps version of the Hawk Trainer, P3c Orion ASW Patrol aircraft and the P8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol and Surveillance aircraft. That the latter two of these types have formidable sensor arrays reflects the level of technical competence required by pilots and crew in order for these systems to be operated effectively. In my past having worked with a former submarine principal weapons officer I was very interested to gain some idea of what it was like on the other side of the fence, so to speak! The book is very well structured and takes the reader through the characteristics of ASW aircraft and those of the submarine leading the reader through a brief history of ASW from the first sinking of a submarine (the French Foucault) on 15th September 1915 by a pair of Austro-Hungarian flying boats though to the present day. We are then taken into the detail on ASW weapons and sensors, a narrative very effectively supported by chapters on the science that forms the basis of weapon and sensor operations, for example sound propagation, oceanography, intelligence gathering techniques and how to use all that data to successfully conclude search and attack (or defence) operations and the management of crew resources in what is a shadowy game of cat and mouse. This is a highly readable work that will be of interest not only to the general reader but also those with a particular interest in naval history and Anti-Submarine Warfare in particular. The reader will gain a good understanding of how submarine targets are detected through this excellent narrative describing the the theory and practice of ASW!

Martin Willoughby, Wessex Branch WFA

This book takes the reader from World War One through to the present day looking at airborne anti submarine warfare, technology, tactics, sound and oceanology to name but a few. It's all very much a race between the two competitors countering submarines and intercepting and stopping submarines. The book takes us through fixed wing and rotary aircraft and looks at how radar hunting and technology have advanced for both sides.

What was good about this book is that it was written by a former pilot who has obviously experienced this type of warfare or fighting. It adds to the authenticity and expertise of the writing and very well done it is too.

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The History Fella

This is an excellent introduction for the general reader. The author covers many technological aspects including electronic sensors, oceanography and ‘sound propagation analysis’ but with a highly readable approach. The seeds of many of todays ASW techniques were sown during World War II - for the full context of how these developed into a specialised branch of modern warfare there can be no better guide.

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WW2 Today

"A quite magnificent academic work which provides a truly up-to-date understanding of what is tomorrow’s battle-ground."

Philip Styles Archivist – The Shackleton Assn.

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