Q&A · 1:57:00-1:57:20

If Polaris had been delayed five years

A five-year Polaris delay would leave the US Navy waiting rather than substituting an equally viable sea-based strategic deterrent.

Ballistic Missile Submarines Nuclear Deterrence Polaris Missile US Navy

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Question

What would the US Navy use for strategic deterrence if Polaris were delayed by five years?

Short answer

It would largely have to wait, because no comparable naval alternative was ready to replace Polaris.

Notes

A five-year development delay would postpone the Navy's Polaris capability. The reply offers no other naval system as a workable replacement and says the Navy would have to wait.