Its not worth a crap though. Might be fast but the range is extremely limited. We had this discussion long ago with someone who knows a lot more than me.
He was some engineer of weapons systems specifically for the navy I think.
His main point was "yeah they might haul ass but they can't go beyong XX range...we can just sit back more than that XX range and hit them every time...Kind of like boxing with someone with 5 feet long arms"
I've heard that argument, but I have always wondered what would happen if we aren't allowed to shoor first. Depending on the rules of engagement, isn't it possible they could get close enough to use these weapons to launch a Pearl Harbor style first strike? After all, if they knock out even one carrier our ability to project power would be badly reduced.
I will freely admit I don't know much about these things, and I not saying we should be panicing, but it does seem like it should be concenr, and maybe justify giving the Navy some budget help.
The two most dangerous things are the 093s (and their loads of ICBMs) and the increasing stock of road mobile IRBMs and ICBMs. Since the PRC are not covered by the SALT series or the INF, that means no inspection rights for anyone (of course, the efficacy of any inspection regime is an uncertainty unto itself but that is a matter for another thread and another day....). These two factors are the quiet threat.