[tanknetter]

Converting SSBNs into SSGNs is sheer stupidity. The USN will ultimately regret this foolhardy idea after the ChiComs take out our satellites in the next world war.

Terrain mapping was good enough for the Tomahawks used in Operation Desert Storm. If GPS goes down it may not be optimal, but it should be good enough.

One thing that doesn't seem to be getting a lot of play here is the element of the Ohio SSGN conversions dealing with support of SEAL operations.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Well, the SSN fleet has supported SEAL operations for a long time. What bothers me about this is that cruise missiles are much more vulnerable to shootdown or spoofing than FBMs, which just can’t be stopped once they are out of the water. Consequently, I’d rather stay with the triad FBMs for deterrence purposes than converting the boomers over to Soviet Oscar class-style cruise missile platforms. Plus, I’m not so sure that the Navy is doing this for any real strategic purpose other than to get a bigger share of the action in GWOT, and all the funding that goes long with that.