Spreading submarine development cost across a larger class

An estimate cited in the exchange puts eight Vanguard submarines at about 50 percent more total cost than four because development expense would be spread across more hulls. That example leads to a proposal for a larger common Dreadnought pool serving both strategic and cruise-missile roles. Removable inserts would hold tactical land-attack missiles in tubes otherwise used for ballistic missiles. The suggested eight-boat fleet would divide between SSBN and SSGN tasks, with common crew qualifications and the possibility of switching roles when a boat became unavailable. This is a force-structure proposal, not an approved conversion programme. A Type 45 cost comparison extends the same argument about the price of later ships once development has been paid for.