Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:01:42-3:03:30

A flexible SSGN and SSBN force mix

A question about future American SSGNs leads to a proposal for specialist missile boats alongside flexible ballistic-missile submarines.

Columbia Class SubmarinesDreadnought Class SubmarinesNuclear DeterrenceSSBNSSGNSubmarines
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Should new American SSGNs be Columbia-based or modified Virginias?

Short answer

Use both approaches, with a larger role-flexible Dreadnought-type force to protect availability.

Notes

The preferred approach combines specialist SSGNs with a larger force able to change roles when maintenance disrupts deterrent patrols. The proposal uses inserting different payloads into missile tubes rather than permanently combining missions in one boat. The operational payoff is resilience: the newest and most available hulls can rotate into SSBN duty while others perform conventional strike tasks.