[tanknetter]

Three quick things that you might want to add to your analysis. The unifying theme of all three is that you need to look beyond the capabilities of the 688/688I boats to what the USN already has in place and what it will shortly have in place.

First, I think that both “standard” Seawolf SSNs are now (or will shortly be) stationed on the US West Coast, ostensibly as a way of saving $$$ by consolidating their specialized logisitics and support with their half-sister USS Jimmy Carter. The Carter is based at the SSBN facility in Puget Sound, having replaced Parche as the special missions boat.

Second, the Virginia-class SSNs are now hitting the fleet. AS with the Seawolfs, they provide significant improvement in capability and survivability over the 688/688Is.

Third, the Ohio Class SSGN conversions are about to hit the fleet as well, and at least two will be West Coast-based. In your ROCN/USN vs. PLAN scenario, their worth wouldn’t be so much in their SEAL capability, but the 130+ TLAMs each would be able to covertly carry to launch points VERY close to the Chinese mainland.

[Jeff Head]

I believe that the LA class will figure most prominently in any operations against the PLAN in the near future. As time goes on, I will change the analysis to look at the Virginia's, but quite frankly, given the realtive disparity between the ADCAP LAs and the PLAN as it is, the analysis will not change markedly with the Virginia's.

Oh, it will improve for the US alright...but it will not be dramatic over the dramtic difference US intervention will already make.

The SSGNs will be involved...but there involvement will not be one in any kind of strike at sea mode...which is really what the site is about. They would be lobbing TALMs from far away at land targets if they got involved...probably port or support facilities for the PLAN or PLAAF.