Image: The Seawolf-class submarine USS Seawolf (SSN 21), leads the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Oonami (DD 111), left, and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) after a successful undersea warfare exercise involving the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and other naval vessels operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. 12 Feb 2009. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter M. Wayman/Released)
National Interest: Only 1 Thing Can 'Sink' a U.S. Navy Seawolf-Class Submarine
They were crazy expensive to build.
Key Point: The biggest threat to the Seawolf class wasn't other submarines, but its enormous price tag.
Designed to address the threat of Soviet ballistic missile submarines, and to replace the aging Los Angeles-class of submarines, the Seawolf-class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines (SSN) has been described as the best of the best. A total of 29 boats were to be constructed over a 10-year period – a number that was then reduced to 12 – but only three were launched.
The reason: the end of the Cold War and the breakup of the Soviet Union.
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WNU Editor: These subs are not cheap.
ReplyDeleteNothings cheap when produced by the US military industrial companies. No minimum wage here.
OCRUMBOGATE.
ReplyDeleteA gotland class sub would make the seawolf look like a kayak in wargames...
ReplyDelete