Me either. Attack boats yea sure. But a Diesel Boomer? Er... uhhh not so much. Unless it was a retro fit boat, and that would be QUITE the retrofit. I can’t imagine how that would go with out notice... taking out a nuclear power plant is not like changing the oil in a car or even as simple as replacing an engine.
The Pentagon acting like it is is giving me the heebeejeebies. A launch like this is not a little deal. It is a VERY very big deal.
Agreed- this is a very odd reaction and not one that provides comfort.
I fully agree, as a Canadian who’s country thinks everyone is their friend (deathwish thinking), this greatly concerns me too, and I am constantly fearing for my southern brothers and sisters and the current state of things, this does nothing to alleviate any fears.
I will say though that I would be very surprised if this was another nation launching that close to US soil. That would be the same as holding a killer poker hand and showing your cards to everyone at the table. You’d be warning everyone you can get close enough to inflict massive damage, but now they are alerted and can take more percautions. If an enemy nation were to do something like that I think they would just launch a surprise attack period.
I’m not a national defense expert, just spent time as a soldier, but from a soldier’s point of view, that would make the most sense.
What doesn’t make any sense, is how come nobody seems to know what the h#ll this thing is?
China is said to have given North Korea a Golf-Class diesel. Also, in the very early days, some USSR diesel boats were rigged up with external launch tubes that would elevate, at least partially, for launching.
If the DOD doesn't really know the source then this is a pretty big story.