[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.

[tanknetter]

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.

Yes, but the size and capacity of the SSGNs provide the SEALS with a quantum leap in capabilities. IIRC the SSGNs have the capability of supporting 60 SEALs, with two drydock shelters and at least two former Trident tubes dedicated to equipment storage.

And they can do it without having to retask SSNs from their primary mission (killing other subs).