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Now that's what I mean by 'debate'. Although you may believe it 'improbable', there seems to be information around that says it was possible.

I have no doubt if the navy deemed an anti-aircraft system needed to be installed on submarines, then a system would be created. So yes, I believe it is possible.

Why it's improbable is that a submarine either hides from aircraft or destroys the ship that launches the aircraft. From a cost vs benefit perspective, it's obvious that the navy did not consider this to be of much benefit.

It is quite difficult to find a submarine that doesn't want to be found. The most effective way is through sonar. Active sonar will be heard by the submarine at least twice the distance of the return range, making it easy to avoid. Passive sonar cannot be detected by the submarine, but the aircraft has to be in the right place at the right time, and it's a huge ocean. And even then, modern nuclear subs emit less noise than the natural background of the ocean unless they're travelling at high rates of speed.

"On display, according to Graduate’s source, was a secret anti-aircraft missile developed for the Seawolf class of attack submarines. The Navy planned to use the missile to defend the subs when sailing ahead of the fleet without air cover, especially in shallow water when vulnerable to shore-based defenses. "

I don't even know where to begin with this link. I would be here all day going line by line. Maybe I can come back to this later. I do especially like the "swivel-tube concept" part.

I want to be clear. I am not locked onto the Submarine missile theory. I just don't believe it was the Center Wing Tank that was the source of the problem. That leaves all the other options, and that is what I am exploring. I do appreciate your input.

You already know my opinion on the likelihood of a submarine being capable of doing this and if any navy asset did launch the missile, my opinion of a successful cover up. So I won't repeat myself.

For the record, I am skeptical of the official story. I find it very hard to believe, as did my father. He started off as a mechanic in the USAF and retired as an aircraft maintenance manager at JFK. His specialty was 747s. But the more I read, the more I tend to think that perhaps it was simply a CWT explosion. Believe me though, if any alternate explanation made sense to me, I'd be onboard. I just don't see that yet.