Lake Pend Oreille
Acoustic Research Detachment
Bayview, Idaho
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/bayview.htm

Large Scale Vehicle Christening by Athol, ID Students
http://www.dt.navy.mil/pao/release/lsv2photos.html

Acoustic Research Detachment
Bayview, Idaho
http://www.dt.navy.mil/about_us/division_sites/acoustic_research_detachment/acoustic_research_detachment.html

“Cutthroat Kids” Help Navy Christen World’s Largest Autonomous Submarine
Bayview, Idaho
November 21, 2000
http://www.dt.navy.mil/pao/release/press/lsv11_00.html

Large Scale Vehicle (Submarine Model) underway in Lake Pend Oreille
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/lsv.htm

The Large Scale Vehicle Kokanee (LSV-I) is operated by the Acoustic Research Detachment (ARD) for the Naval Sea Systems Command (SEA 92R). Kokanee is a one-quarter scale model of the Seawolf (SSN-21). She is an unmanned, battery-powered, free-running model, 90 feet long, 150 tons, with batteries weighing approximately 25 tons and requiring special, high- powered battery chargers. This large-scale structural model was delivered to Bayview in north Idaho in November 1987 and operated in Lake Pend Oreille for research work.
Lake Pend Oreille provides a deep (1150 ft), quiet body of water where a free-field ocean-like environment is available without the attendant problems and costs of open ocean operations. Unique experimental hardware and floating platforms have been developed to support a wide variety of R&D programs ranging from the measurement of flow induced boundary layer fluctuations on sonar domes to the calibrations of full-scale surface ship sonar transducers. The site’s technical programs typically support analytical efforts at the NSWCCD and contribute to the development of advanced submarine and sonar designs.

The Advanced Submarine Technology Development program enhances the capability of the Large Scale Demonstrator System to conduct hydrodynamic/hydroacoustic/flow management/maneuvering tests, as well as development of an advanced propulsion system and sensor & processing technologies being considered for insertion in the New Attack Submarine.
Congress authorized the Secretary of the Navy to pursue a new Large-Scale Vehicle (LSV II) demonstrator that is not limited by form or single hull design. In January 1997 the Naval Sea Systems Command contracted with Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), for the design and construction of an Advanced Large Scale Vehicle (LSV II). These efforts include all engineering, technical, coordination, support and manufacturing efforts necessary to design and construct LSV II. LSV II will replicate large scale submarines in design and capability and is to be used as a demonstration platform for the insertion of new submarine technologies related to deep diving, nuclear powered attack submarines. It is envisioned that NNS will team, via a subcontract, with Electric Boat Corporation for some of these requirements.

LSV II Cutthroat, a quarter-scale version of the New Attack Submarine (NSSN), will be the world’s largest underwater autonomous submarine vehicle. It will be used as a demonstrator vehicle for the advanced technologies anticipated for the submarine. After delivery in 2001, the LSV-2 will operate on Lake Pend Oreille at the Acoustic Research Detachment in Bayview, Idaho. On 12 February 1999 Newport News Shipbuilding was awarded a $46,868,246 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the completion of design and construction of the submarine large scale vehicle CUTTHROAT (LSV 2). Work will be performed in Newport News, Va. (40%); Groton, Conn. (35%), and at numerous undetermined sites throughout the United States (25%), and was expected to be completed by May 2001. This contract was not competitively procured.

That turned out to be a site where they tested torpedo motors on Winnepasauke. I believe it was there because of its proximity to Portsmouth and because of the controlled environment.

This does illustrate that the Navy does indeed operate in lakes and doesn’t necessarily advertise the fact.

We lived on the south of the lake where there would be low flights of helo’s right over our house about once a month.

I worked at the Laconia Airport. One day I went into work and a large helo (BlackHawk) was sitting on the unused runway. It had mech problems and was waiting for assistance. It was surrounded by men with machine guns and we were definitely not welcome to poke around.

The next day it was gone.

I live within 3 miles of Lake Pend Oreille. Many locals fishing deep water have had their lines snagged on something, which then PULLS their craft around. I’ve fished and swam Pend Oreille many times. I am inclined to believe mini-subs are the sightings. Some of the smaller craft are 20 feet long and are remotely controlled. The security on the naval base is absolute. In 20 years of living here, I haven’t had a sighting of anything I would consider cryptid. BTW, I have a copy of Prof. McLeod’s “Paddler” book. Most locals consider a sturgeon to be the Paddler. The lake could certainly hold something, as it is large, deep and loaded with fish.

While fishing off that island we noticed regularly placed signs warning trespassers off as it was a US navy installation. Within that same period we took a sea plane ride over the area and observed yellow railroad tracks on the bottom of the lake.

I did: Bpl sez it elegantly above.