The navy's
current attack submarine fleet consists
of a mix of older los angeles-class
submarines, seawolf class submarines
shown above and the latest class of
virginia class submarines. The virginia
class currently in production was meant
to combine an affordable platform with a
submarine that could operate closer to
shore and support the land conflicts of
the 911 era.
The unprecedented peacetime expansion
and modernization of china's people's
liberation army navy as well as the
introduction of new russian attack and
missile submarines has prompted the u.s
navy to begin development of SSN X. Like
the short-lived seawolf class before it, SSN X will be built to directly take on
enemy submarines and surface ships.
A submarine focused on fighting other
navies needs things the virginias don't
have, including a strong hull for
exceptionally deep diving, more torpedo
tubes and a larger internal torpedo
missile magazine. The subs will also likely be larger to
accommodate linking up with and
transporting uncrewed undersea vehicles.
The new report says the navy is
examining three different options for SSN X, a design based on the
columbia-class ballistic missile
submarine, one based on the virginia and
a brand new design. A columbia-based boat built for carrying
nuclear missiles would be huge, but could
cost a lot to operate down the road, a virginia-based boat. Meanwhile would be
easier to develop but could suffer
similar limitations to the current class
of boats.
And an entirely new sub could check off
every one of the navy's requirements but
will still be expensive to develop and
build at least at first. The SSN X could also include laser
weapons, large flank sonar arrays, a
quieter electric drive system and
hypersonic weapons.
