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The U.S. Navy's Seawolf-Class Submarine Nightmare
National Interest ^ | 3/7/24 | Brandon J. Weichert

Posted on 03/07/2024 7:04:51 PM PST by hardspunned

The U.S. Navy's Seawolf-class submarines, with a cost of $3.5 billion each, represent some of the most advanced undersea warfare technology ever developed, boasting capabilities that remain a concern for Russian and Chinese military strategists. Despite their intended role to supersede the Los Angeles-class attack submarines and counter Soviet Akula class submarines, only three Seawolf-class submarines were built due to their substantial cost, consuming a quarter of the Navy's construction budget in the 1990s. This decision to limit production came as investments shifted towards the more expensive Ford-class aircraft carriers, despite the increasing effectiveness of anti-access/area denial strategies by adversaries that potentially undermine the utility of carriers in conflict zones.

(Excerpt) Read more at nationalinterest.org ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
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As is often said, there are two types of naval boats, submarines and targets. The Ukrainians in the Black Sea and Houthis in the Red Sea have proven that point rather convincingly. Those aircraft carriers were very effective fighting the last war we fought against a military equal 80 years ago. Today, not so much. The money the Ukraine fiasco will end up costing us would have built, manned and maintained 25 Seawolfs for their entire deployed lifetimes. The idiots in DC must all be on the CCP payroll.
1 posted on 03/07/2024 7:04:51 PM PST by hardspunned
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To: hardspunned

This is actually wrong. The Seawolf was too expensive and subsequently replaced by the Virginia class which is a modern submarine with an integrated digital combat suite. A lot of the Seawolf is actually old technology. And with only 3 of them it is expensive to upgrade.


2 posted on 03/07/2024 7:07:24 PM PST by AndyJackson
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To: hardspunned

Take that, Putin!!!! We don’t need no submarines that work because WE ARE AMERICA and therefore we are INVINCIBLE!


3 posted on 03/07/2024 7:12:08 PM PST by BobL (Trump gets my vote, even if I have to write him in; Millions of others will do the same)
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To: AndyJackson

How many Virginia Class subs do we have? Do we have enough? Regardless, what I said about wasted hundreds of billions on Ukraine, obsolete aircraft carriers and the idiots in DC rings just as true.


4 posted on 03/07/2024 7:17:33 PM PST by hardspunned (Former DC GOP globalist stooge)
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To: BobL

The Kursk Catastrophe, A Lesson For Putin, Is Fading From Russia’s Attention 20 Years Later
https://www.rferl.org/a/the-kursk-catastrophe-a-lesson-for-putin-is-fading-from-russian-attention-20-years-later/30778500.html


5 posted on 03/07/2024 7:20:22 PM PST by USA-FRANCE
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To: hardspunned

24 active Virginias.


6 posted on 03/07/2024 7:21:54 PM PST by InsidiousMongo
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To: hardspunned

I bet startups like Anduril could build them a hell of a lot chesaper than $3.5 billion each! WTH??


7 posted on 03/07/2024 7:24:04 PM PST by montag813
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To: hardspunned
This decision to limit production came as investments shifted towards the more expensive Ford-class aircraft carriers

Pretty dumb considering the proliferation of drones

8 posted on 03/07/2024 7:26:00 PM PST by montag813
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To: USA-FRANCE

INVINCIBLE, I tell you INVINCIBLE!!!!

You guys seem to believe that, at least in France as your leader is ready to send the boys to Ukraine to KILL SOME COMMIES. I guess he didn’t get the “Happy New Year” fireworks that Putin send to 200 of of your boys in Ukraine.

In any case, have fun with fighting those commies, we’re through, that’s why we just FIRED Nuland.


9 posted on 03/07/2024 7:27:11 PM PST by BobL (Trump gets my vote, even if I have to write him in; Millions of others will do the same)
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To: hardspunned

Michael Critchon’s “Prey,” predicting the massive proliferation of drones was published in 2002. The first Ford Class carrier was not even started until 2005. Not too many forward thinkers in the MI-Complex, are there?


10 posted on 03/07/2024 7:29:35 PM PST by montag813
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To: InsidiousMongo

That is reassuring. However, what we have already wasted in Ukraine would have built the remaining 42 subs planned. Speaking of the obsolete aircraft carrier, Japanese kamikaze pilots might well have shown they were obsolete by the end of WWII. Had the Japanese kept only enough fighters to protect their carriers and sent all other planes off as dedicated manned kamikaze cruise missiles, who would have won the Battle of Midway?


11 posted on 03/07/2024 7:33:24 PM PST by hardspunned (Former DC GOP globalist stooge)
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To: montag813

I believe it all comes down to what weapon system and maintenance of that weapon system is most profitable for the MIC. As cynical as that sounds, I honestly believe it is true.


12 posted on 03/07/2024 7:36:11 PM PST by hardspunned (Former DC GOP globalist stooge)
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To: hardspunned
I believe it all comes down to what weapon system and maintenance of that weapon system is most profitable for the MIC. As cynical as that sounds, I honestly believe it is true.

And China is focused on whatever will kill the most Americans and defeat us, profit be damned. Like we used to be, before this forgotten patriot warned us...


13 posted on 03/07/2024 7:39:35 PM PST by montag813
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To: AndyJackson

Exactly so— the Jimmah Cahtah is a spec ops surveillance platform now.

Virginia class is still being built to 40 in number iirc.

And are really mean top of the line beasts— silent death.


14 posted on 03/07/2024 8:01:56 PM PST by John S Mosby (Sic Semper Tyrannis)
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To: InsidiousMongo

16 more to go. Newport News and Groton turning them out.


15 posted on 03/07/2024 8:03:07 PM PST by John S Mosby (Sic Semper Tyrannis)
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To: hardspunned

” Had the Japanese kept only enough fighters to protect their carriers and sent all other planes off as dedicated manned kamikaze cruise missiles, who would have won the Battle of Midway”?

The Japanese were not using Kamikaze’s that early in the war and were not even considered at Midway.


16 posted on 03/07/2024 8:04:21 PM PST by laplata (They want each crisis to take the greatest toll possible.)
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To: BobL

“You guys seem to believe that, at least in France as your leader is ready to send the boys to Ukraine to KILL SOME COMMIES.”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The thing is the Kremlinists aren’t Commies anymore.
Communism is nearly dead in Russia.

They are still deeply neo-soviet though. And every single one of their absolut closest allies are hardcore-communist nations: Belarus, North Korea, China, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua... You are with me on this right? Even Putin would agree!

And yes, Russia is also deeply in bed with the Islamic State of Iran and their proxy HAMAS. They are true allies.

That’s why Israel is now opposing Russia and is helping Ukraine. That’s the price Russia has to pay for supporting Iran and Hamas. Pure logic.

Thus: America, France and the West in general most continue to fight against the GINSCA*.

*Globo-Islamo-NeoSoviet-Communist-Alliance


17 posted on 03/07/2024 8:10:29 PM PST by USA-FRANCE
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To: laplata

I know that, of course. What I’m saying is HAD they used their resources in that manner, they would have won the battle with many fewer casualties. In your opinion, HAD they used their assets in that manner, what do you think would have happened? The kamikaze manned cruise missile revealed the vulnerability of aircraft carriers during WWII. An equal, non depleted enemy (as Japan was in 1942) using kamikaze tactics, would have prevailed over the U.S. carriers.


18 posted on 03/07/2024 8:40:49 PM PST by hardspunned (Former DC GOP globalist stooge)
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To: USA-FRANCE

“The thing is the Kremlinists aren’t Commies anymore.
Communism is nearly dead in Russia.”

Wow, didn’t think ANY of you guys even realized that the Soviet Union no longer exists.

That is a start...


19 posted on 03/07/2024 8:43:38 PM PST by BobL (Trump gets my vote, even if I have to write him in; Millions of others will do the same)
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To: hardspunned

“Japanese kamikaze”

That was a desperation move. They were running out of planes and pilots.


20 posted on 03/07/2024 8:52:50 PM PST by TexasGator
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