January 11, 2024

Columbia SSBN Delays = Virginia SSN Delays

/Kjell made an interesting January 11, 2024 comment. I respond:

Thanks for drawing https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/first-look-at-columbia-missile-submarines-x-shaped-stern to my attention.

Its surprising the US didn't use X-form rudders for the Virginia SSNs - nor did the UK's Astutes. I note French Barracuda/Suffren SSNs use X-form. 

GDEB and HII delays (described in the WarZone article) in the highest priority Columbia SSBN program might well result in worsening delays to the comparatively lower priority GDEB and HII Virginia construction schedule. The consequent Virginia scarcity in  the USN might mean fewer or no Virginias are available for Australia in the 2030s.

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