New American SSBNs???

The Bandit · Joined: 14 Sep 2002 Posts: 1167 Location: Canada

Well I was just on strategypage, I think it was, and I read somthing that the said somthing along the lines of "The united states is developing a new class of SSBN that will essentially be a Virginia with a missile "plug" in it." now is this just more crap you find on the internet, or is there some truth to it? It wouldn't suprise me to see the americans doing a feasibuility study "Do you think we can add a missile compartment to a Virginia class and make it a boomer?" but the way it was talked about, it sounded very certain, like they were almost ready to build them. This might be a good idea to save money, but I'm of the oppinnion, that if your going to build a boomer, build it BIG. Look at the Ohio class, they're huge, and they were designed that way so that they could accomodate all the quieting measures the americans could come up with. I think if they're going to build new boomers they'd be smart to come up with an entirly new design.

XabbaRus · Joined: 21 Sep 2001 Posts: 6949

But the Virginia is quieter than the Ohio to begin with...

So it seems like a perfect starting point.

TLAM Strike · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 5:43 pm Post subject:

I think that if they installed some kind of modular plug in the sub that could be swapped out with various different equipment it would become the "next big thing" for submarines.

For example a set of say 6 SLBM tubes could be installed then a after an overhaul a set of Rotary TLAM launchers could be installed with a whole bunch of reloads, then a pair of ASDV docks and space for a bunch of SEALs or a full array of ELINT gear or mine laying gear with a 100 or so mines ETC.

Angle · Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Posts: 88

They should develop an all new SSBN and be prepared when the life cycle of the ohio class ends.

Scion · Joined: 31 May 2001 Posts: 1552 Location: New Zealand

Why? If something will work completely fine, why spend the money to get something else that does the same thing all together again?

It would be quite interesting, having modular sections that can be added and removed with relative ease. You could have your basic design with no addons, and add hull sections as desired...

You wouldnt necessarily be limited to adding one section at a time. If both ends had the same dimensions, you could have a sub with all of the addons, or none. Imagine a SSBGN Neutral

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Angle · Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Posts: 88

Yea. ok. If it ain't broke don't fix it. right. Guess we should keep the ohio class for the next 50 years. goes with all our other equipment that works just fine.

clive bradbury · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Posts: 510 Location: stoke-on-trent, UK

The Cold War is long over, and the US is cutting spending on its submarine fleet as a result. In the post-Soviet world, why do they need SSBNs? There is certainly no longer any need for a covert, mobile, nuclear strike capability. For all their posturing, the Chinese will join the capitalist economy as soon as they possibly can without losing face.

Following that logic, the US does not need a massive nuclear strike capability. Ironically, with hindsight, they probably never did.

Molon Labe · Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 2:20 pm Post subject:

Even with hindsight, it seems like SSBN's were a great idea. Not only did they deter a nuclear strike, but Russia bankrupted themselves trying to develop quieter subs that could escape our detection and be able to track US SSBN's (of course, this was only one part of Soviet military spending, but it was very important).

Today, we face developing nuclear threats from China and North Korea, with several other states developing nuclear warheads and the missiles to carry them. Russia is unstable enough that a return to the bad old days is a possibility--or perhaps they could become an adversary again simply due to stategic interests. While we don't need a nuclear force as big as we did in the Cold War, we would be fools to completely disarm now. We'd only find ourselves rebuilding the fleet in a hurry to face a new threat. Better to stay prepared.

Angle · Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Posts: 88

Torpedo Fodder · Joined: 02 Aug 2003 Posts: 1224 Location: Whitby, Ontario

TLAM Strike · Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:23 pm Post subject:

I like it Torpedo Fodder, I'm almost temped to do a Blue Sun Corp one. Wink

Molon Labe and TF our correct the SSBN force is just as important today as it was during the Cold War.

An SSBGN eh? I don't think they would want to risk strategic assets on a TLAM attack. A SMGN (Mine Laying Submarine-Cruise Missiles-Nuclear) or STGN (Transport Submarine-Cruise Missiles-Nuclear) might be a good idea for Littoral Combat.

Torpedo Fodder · Joined: 02 Aug 2003 Posts: 1224 Location: Whitby, Ontario

TLAM Strike · Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:06 am Post subject:

Here is a better verson of the logo:

I don't know what the disclamer could be...

Torpedo Fodder · Joined: 02 Aug 2003 Posts: 1224 Location: Whitby, Ontario

TLAM Strike · Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 4:50 pm Post subject:

Maybe; Live life with Blue Sun:
"By using Blue Sun products you agree that your life, brain or body maybe used to test new Blue Sun products."

heheh brain hint hint... Wink