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An All-Submarine Navy(?)
OpinionEditorials ^ | 6-19-07 | Mike Burleson

Posted on 06/21/2007 7:37:25 AM PDT by SShultz460

Last week, the third in a new class of underwater battleships, the USS MICHIGAN, joined the fleet after a $1 billion face lift. The 4 converted subs of the OHIO class, former Trident missile ships, are the undersea equivalent of the reborn IOWA class from the 1980’s. Armed with over 150 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus the ability to carry special forces and unmanned vehicles, they give the Navy an incredible ability to strike decisively from the sea.

I am of the opinion that in full-scale shooting war at sea, the US surface navy will be devastated in the first day., by the combination of cruise missiles and stealthy submarines. The survivors would all be forced into port, unable to participate in the counterattack, which would likely be initiated by our own deadly nuclear attack submarines.

What this means is, our current force of colossal and pricey warships including aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and amphibious ships are obsolete in today’s precision, push button warfare. They are also tremendously expensive to build and operate, with only the richest of earth’s superpowers able to afford them in ever declining numbers. If this wasn’t reason enough for maritime nations to reevaluate their shipbuilding priorities, there are few if any jobs the surface fleet can do which the submarine cannot. I’ll elaborate:

Command of the Sea

Submariners say there are only 2 types of ships: submarines and targets. There’s valid reasons for this. Since World War 2 anti-submarine defenses have failed to match the attack boat’s advancements in speed, stealth, and weaponry. For instance, since 1945 the average speed of destroyers have remained at 30 knots, with only nuclear vessels able to maintain this rate for any period. In contrast, the velocity of nuclear attack submarines, beginning with the launch of USS NAUTILUS in 1954, has tripled and quadrupled from around 10 knots submerged to 30-40 knots.

Also, an antisubmarine vessel must get within a few miles of an enemy sub to fire its rockets or torpedoes. Its only long-range defense, the helicopter, is slow and must linger in a vulnerable hover while its sonar buoys seek out their prey. Some Russian-built boats come equipped with anti-aircraft missiles which makes this standard ASW tactic suicidal.

In contrast, a modern submarine can launch its missiles from 75 miles away and farther. Should it choose to close the distance, as occurred when a Chinese SONG class stalked the USS KITTY HAWK last year, to fire its ship killing torpedoes, it can do so at speeds as fast as and sometimes surpassing surface warships. Whether attacking with cruise missiles or wake-homing torpedoes the attack boat remains submerged; the preeminent stealth vessel.

The sub has likely held this dominate position on the high seas, since the dawn of the first nuke ships beginning in the 1950’s. The only lacking factor has been a full-scale naval war to prove it. The single example is the sinking of the Argentine cruiser BELGRANO 25 years ago by the British submarine HMS CONQUEROR in the Falklands Conflict. Afterward, the Argentine Navy fled to port and remained there!

Commerce Raiding/Protection:

This traditional role of the submarine is one which it excelled in the last century. The difference today is, neither America nor Britain has the capability to mass produce the thousands of anti-submarine escorts which just barely defeated Germany’s U-boats in 2 world wars, even if it would matter. In the next war at sea, the submarine would bring all commerce to a halt, making a mockery of the globalized free market system. The only counter to this menace is perhaps a combination of aircraft and submarine escorts, with the latter acting as the destroyer, shepherding its convoy through the “shark” ridden waters.

Amphibious Assault

Admittedly, this is not a role in which the submarine excels at , with its sparse crew and cargo capacity. Where they do stand out is the ability to land small raiding parties, like the elite Navy SEALs, and underwater demolition teams in preparation for a full-scale assault.

Still, with the submarine maintaining command of the seas, it would allow a surface amphibious task force free reign against an enemy beachhead. Rather than requiring expensive standing amphibs, reserve vessels could be maintained on both our coasts, with a cadre crew ready for any emergency. Some could also be rapidly converted with landing strips for heloes or whatever air assets are needed. Some small and inexpensive littoral ships fitted with cannon could provide escort close to shore.

For standard peacekeeping operations, some large subs could be built or converted for troop carrying, as in the above mentioned MICHIGAN. The ex-ballistic missile warship and her three sisters can load up to 66 SEALs, or more, I imagine, in a pinch, plus their equipment.

Conclusion

If America were to suddenly lose her preeminent surface fleet of carrier groups in such a future conflict, she would still have an excellent and capable submarine force to carry the fight to the enemy. The Navy says it must build 2 boats per year to maintain 50 in commission. Perhaps a doubling or tripling of this number would be necessary to replace the surface ships in the manner I propose. A fleet of 100-150 nuke submarines would be far cheaper to maintain, but also doubtless give the USN an unmatched mastery at sea for the rest of the century.

My blog is at newwars.blogspot.com

###

Mike Burleson is a regular columnist with Sea Classics magazine and an advocate of Military Reform. He resides in historic Charleston, SC. http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/honestnews/ http://newwars.blogspot.com/

charbookguy@myway.com


TOPICS: Government
KEYWORDS: military; subs
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To: cripplecreek

Nice.


41 posted on 06/21/2007 8:12:11 AM PDT by oakcon (Dulce et Decorum est pro Patria mori)
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To: SShultz460
as occurred when a Chinese SONG class stalked the USS KITTY HAWK last year,

I stopped reading after this nonsense.

42 posted on 06/21/2007 8:12:17 AM PDT by denydenydeny (Expel the priest and you don't inaugurate the age of reason, you get the witch doctor--Paul Johnson)
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To: Lee'sGhost
Japan worked on that problem.

http://www.steelnavy.com/I400.htm

43 posted on 06/21/2007 8:16:05 AM PDT by Cheburashka (DUmmieland = Opus Dopium. In all senses of the word dope.)
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To: blasater1960
Sneak a few of these babies into the Caspian Sea ;o)

Are you certain we haven't?

44 posted on 06/21/2007 8:17:38 AM PDT by null and void (Tired of living in the shadows? Move to Sunny Mexico!)
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To: cripplecreek

lol!


45 posted on 06/21/2007 8:17:54 AM PDT by Osage Orange (Gun exchange programs would work great if they gave you a gun when you handed in a criminal.)
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To: SShultz460

Subs can’t support ground troops, or launch aircraft that can.


46 posted on 06/21/2007 8:21:12 AM PDT by stuartcr (Everything happens as God wants it to.....otherwise, things would be different.)
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To: SmithL; patton
No.

I like targets, and targets will get sunk - easily and simply.

But you simply can’t carry enough tons of cargo underwater. Ain’t no way no how nobody is gonna pay enough to carry cheap cargo in a gold-plated ship. And subs would be cheaper if they were only gold-plated. 8<)

Cargo ships and escorts with dedicated radar and anti-missile launchers have their place. (Admittedly, that place might be sunk ....)

Besides - a sub can get sunk as easy once it surfaces near a harbor or port by a bottom-laid mine or torpedo or surface kamikaze watercraft/personal boat just as easily as a normal ship.

47 posted on 06/21/2007 8:24:26 AM PDT by Robert A Cook PE (I can only donate monthly, but Hillary's ABBCNNBCBS continue to lie every day!)
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To: Pyro7480

There are a number of jokes about those men, that comes to mind...but I won’t repeat them here.


48 posted on 06/21/2007 8:25:33 AM PDT by stuartcr (Everything happens as God wants it to.....otherwise, things would be different.)
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To: Non-Sequitur

Right! The new turbines in today’s DDGs can really dig their props into the water for quick starts and superb maneuverability.

But, you’re right also about being chased by a missile, and even if the Phalanx takes it out, you might still get deadly shrapnel all over the ship - and then some.


49 posted on 06/21/2007 8:26:14 AM PDT by RexBeach (Americans never quit. -Douglas MacArthur)
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To: null and void
Sneak a few of these babies into the Caspian Sea ;o)

Are you certain we haven’t?

By air drop?

50 posted on 06/21/2007 8:28:11 AM PDT by Robert A Cook PE (I can only donate monthly, but Hillary's ABBCNNBCBS continue to lie every day!)
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To: Robert A. Cook, PE

It worked for Lake Baikal...


51 posted on 06/21/2007 8:31:31 AM PDT by null and void (Tired of living in the shadows? Move to Sunny Mexico!)
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To: ken5050

Also, I understand that Russia has supersonic cruise missiles that could be tough to shoot down.


52 posted on 06/21/2007 8:32:28 AM PDT by GeorgefromGeorgia
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To: ken5050

Also, I understand that Russia has supersonic cruise missiles that could be tough to shoot down.


53 posted on 06/21/2007 8:32:57 AM PDT by GeorgefromGeorgia
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To: GeorgefromGeorgia

Has Russia sold them to Iran?


54 posted on 06/21/2007 8:36:03 AM PDT by ken5050
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Comment #55 Removed by Moderator

To: RexBeach

Anyone remember “ The Bedford Incident” - great movie.

When subs are high value enough, there’s always the nuclear depth charge. ( Close counts with horse shoes, hand grenades and nuclear depth charges).


56 posted on 06/21/2007 8:36:42 AM PDT by Waverunner ( "Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too." Voltaire)
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To: stuartcr

The can launch Global Hawks with Hellfire capabilities


57 posted on 06/21/2007 8:38:13 AM PDT by SShultz460
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To: SShultz460
I am of the opinion that in full-scale shooting war at sea

The assertion is meaningless. This opinion may be a leftover of a bad dream, perhaps inspired by a bite of potato salad left out in the sun too long at the office picnic.

58 posted on 06/21/2007 8:40:00 AM PDT by RightWhale (Repeal the Treaty)
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To: JackRyanCIA
The Capital Ships of the US Fleet are protected by the nuclear triad.

The price of sinking a carrier is unlimited nuclear war.

59 posted on 06/21/2007 8:47:05 AM PDT by Mariner
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To: Waverunner

Great film: Richard Widmark, Sidney Poitier, Martin Balsam and James MacArthur who fired the “sub-roc” by accident.


60 posted on 06/21/2007 8:47:53 AM PDT by RexBeach (Americans never quit. -Douglas MacArthur)
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