![]() He is an Emerging Threats expert and former U.S. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare. Now serving as 1945’s Defense and National Security Editor, Brent M. The SSN(X) will need funding from future presidential administrations and Congress, but with the growth of the Chinese navy and its current force levels, it would make sense to fully supply the SSN(X) program each fiscal year. ![]() That’s not bad news because the Virginia boats can insert SEAL teams and sneak close to shore to collect intelligence. Until then the Virginia class will have to suffice. Navy is calling for 66 SSN attack subs by FY 2048. ![]() But China may extend its advantage as the largest navy in the world – currently with about 355 ships and submarines. Congress may determine that building new Virginia-class boats is sufficient. Attack submarines are designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships project power ashore with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Special Operation Forces (SOF) carry out Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions support battle group operations, and engage in mine warfare. It will take cheerleaders like these admirals to bang the drum about how important a new attack sub is to continue exemplary service in the Indo-Pacific. Vice Admiral Bill Houston, who is over Naval Submarine Forces and Allied Submarine Command, said of the new program at a Navy League event last summer, “We are looking at the ultimate apex predator for the maritime domain.” Russia is already testing its own hypersonic weapon that is launched from a submarine.Īnother flag officer is enthusiastic about the SSN(X). Aerial drones could provide the SSN(X) targeting data for torpedoes.īy the time the SSN(X) is sea-worthy there should be improvements or even replacements of current cruise missiles and perhaps even hypersonic missiles making its attack capabilities even more dominant compared to the existing Virginia-class boats. The SSN(X) could also have its own drone capabilities by controlling unmanned underwater craft to thwart China by providing early warning for enemy ships and subs, a sort of underwater aircraft carrier if you will. That’s both sensors to hear the other ships out there as well as stealth – staying quiet,” Perry said. You can read that as it’s going to carry a lot of torpedoes. But we do believe that the next submarine will have a large horizontal payload capacity. Rear Admiral Doug Perry, the director of the undersea warfare division on the chief of naval operations staff, told USNI News in November that “We don’t know the specific characteristics that will be in SSNs. This next-generation attack sub will be faster and quieter than the current and already capable nuclear-attack Virginia-class boat. Admirals in charge of procurement of the SSN(X) program are excited. Navy is working on a yet-to-be-designed new submarine that will have the speed and firepower to dominate enemy shipping and submarines. Submarine Will Be Packed to the Gills With Weapons: Building on its prowess in undersea warfare, the U.S.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |