Crusader2000
Banned Member
Well, I was thinking about the Future SSBN Fleet and how the UK could pay for? Really, SSBN's in general are mainly used as deterents. Personally, I've always wondered if even 12 SLBM's was kind of overkill. Especially, consider the UK currently only carrier 4-6 MIRV's per D-5 SLBM. For comparison the US carries 8 on the missle and both could carry as many as "12". (Note: The UK warheads are much smaller than the US ones? 100 kT vs 475 kT)
So, why not drastically cut back the number of missiles carried and just mount more warheads?
The UK for example could add a small section to the current Astute Class SSN. To make a new SSBN with just say 4-6 Tubes. Which, could provide anywhere from 48 MIRV's to 75 MIRV's.
Clearly, such a solution would be vastly cheaper. While, still providing a very worth while deterent. IMO
So, why not drastically cut back the number of missiles carried and just mount more warheads?
The UK for example could add a small section to the current Astute Class SSN. To make a new SSBN with just say 4-6 Tubes. Which, could provide anywhere from 48 MIRV's to 75 MIRV's.
Clearly, such a solution would be vastly cheaper. While, still providing a very worth while deterent. IMO