Maintaining both conventional and nuclear submarine programmes can be difficult to defend to a treasury when the conventional boat appears cheaper per unit. The comparison asks what operational effect each type can deliver. An SSGN is then distinguished from an SSBN by its conventional strike role rather than the nuclear deterrent mission. The proposed carrier-support role concentrates a large missile salvo in one submarine that approaches quietly. In this argument, placing the weapons in one specialist boat is easier than bringing several smaller hunter-killers close enough to deliver the same combined payload. This is a case for a mixed submarine force with specialist roles.
Notable Point · 1:09:27-1:10:59
SSGNs as specialist conventional deterrents
The specialist SSGN argument distinguishes conventional strike from the SSBN's nuclear deterrent and weighs concentrated payload against several smaller boats.