New American SSBNs???

Sub Sailor · Joined: 14 Sep 2002 Posts: 295 Location: Orofino, Idaho

Gentleman;
I rode SSNs and SSBNs for many years, most of the Cold War, and I hope we always keep a viable number of Boomers.
One of you made the point of how they contributed to the winning of the Cold War. I believe that to be completely true. I know from the news that China has tried very hard to get the plans on our war heads, obviously for a reason, and certainly India could, at some point, present a problem.
A Boomer fleet gives all potential enemies cause to consider the threat to them if they decide to challange us.
I agree they are not much use against Terrorism, but we can and will face threats other than terrorist.

Respectfully,

Ron Banks MMCM(SS), USN(SS)

OptimusX · Joined: 30 Mar 2004 Posts: 115

One of the "cheaper" alternatives to SSBNs that involve the Virginia included the idea of a "towed ballistic missile module." It basically looks like a minisub, except that it holds about 10 or so ballistic missiles.

The module is unmanned, of course, and basically the sub would just tug this thing around and use when needed. Of course, this severley limits the submarine's manuverability and speed....

My memory could be completely off...it's possible this towed module is only for TLAMs...but the size comparison in the sketch that I saw showed it to be a *big* unit...perhaps 25-35% of the Virginia's total volume. I don't know if this idea is in the pipeline or out the window though...

The question is though, do we really need an SSBN carrying around 200 nuclear warheads nowadays? I remember reading that the British navy no longer max out the nuclear warhead load of their SSBNs...their missiles apparently carry only a "deterrance load" on their missiles.

Perhaps a dozen Virginia subs with a few dozen warheads a piece will be more than enough deterrance against the capabilities of the other navies of the world.

TLAM Strike · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 2:23 am Post subject:

Intresting OptimusX, I remember reading the Germans wrote up plans for such a system for Nuclear Tiped V2s to bomb the USA. :hmm:

The problem with a towed unit is that it could be lost if the cable(s) brake.

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

TLAM Strike · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 2:57 am Post subject:

What do the Russians use for ABM? Long Range SAMs with nuclear warheads or something?

I remember vaguely reading they started to deploy something with nukes around Moscow in the 80's.

If it is nukes why doesn�t the USA use that for our ABM system instead of kinetic kill vehicles?

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

Sub Sailor · Joined: 14 Sep 2002 Posts: 295 Location: Orofino, Idaho

I, maybe becuase I am 64, and the cold war was a major part of my life. I always doubted that it would ever end nd if it did, well it would end in blowing each other up.
Now with the current situation I see deterence worked, expensive as it was and always will be. I am sure I am biased, but having a weapon system like an FBM to keep the other guy honest is viable. With the Ohio class I believe 10 boats with the ww80 warheads would do that. If things go back in Russia, China become more aggressive, and honestly I don't know what India will do. I would sleep better with FBMs running silent and deep and the other guy knowing it, would tend to keep thed other guy honest.
I guess towing a module could work but if you had to go into shallow littorial waters to drop off seals what happens to the module? I will alway believe that FBMs are a unique class of boat, with one purpose keeping prospective bad guys nervous and worried. I also feel that after all the years and all the patrols they made they proved themselves. Getting rid of them all together would, in my opinon be a mistake. Ping

Happy Holidays,

Ron Banks MMCM(SS), USN(Ret)
"The Old Nuke" Ping

OptimusX · Joined: 30 Mar 2004 Posts: 115

Whatever the case, I'm not entirely sure what our SSBN future is. The Ohio boats are up to be decomissioned in the next 25 years or so...what is going to replace them when they reach their age? I know they plan on extending their operational lives, but that does not exclude needing a plan to replace them.

Sub Sailor · Joined: 14 Sep 2002 Posts: 295 Location: Orofino, Idaho

My gosh Optimus, I have not thought or even heard of Seabats in years. That sure brought back memories of pranks played on newbies. E.G. Squee-gee sharpner, keys to the feed pump reduction gears etc.

Ron Banks MMCM(SS), USN(Ret)