Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:32:13-3:33:43

A dual-role ballistic and cruise-missile submarine fleet

A 1970 procurement bargain asks what happens if submarine tactical missiles use ballistic-missile tubes and gain institutional support.

Alternate HistoryElmo ZumwaltHarpoon MissileHyman RickoverLive Q&AResolution Class Ballistic Missile SubmarinesRoyal NavySSBNSSGNStrategic DeterrenceTomahawk Missile
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Question

What if Zumwalt and Rickover agreed in 1970 to build a submarine tactical missile for SSBN tubes, with Rickover also supporting Tomahawk and Harpoon?

Short answer

Britain and the United States could develop mixed SSBN-SSGN fleets whose boats switch roles, adding conventional strike capacity and resilience to deterrent patrol schedules.

Notes

Britain would probably join the American program and might build a fifth Resolution-class boat with conventional missile capability. A fleet of five or six submarines could rotate between SSBN deterrent patrols, SSGN duties, and long-term maintenance. The six-boat example assigns three to the strategic role, one to maintenance, and two to conventional guided-missile work. A conventionally tasked boat could return to the strategic role if another submarine were unavailable. That flexible pool might prevent the exceptionally long deterrent patrols imposed when too few boats are available.