Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
Hey guys, maybe someone will answer my question: is it common for a nuclear submarine to leave dock/harbour without complete armament? Would they leave with just three quarters of maximum capacity? To...
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First, the Kursk was a SSGN, so the missiles were not ICBMs. She carried the SS-N-19 "Shipwreck" cruise missile (granted, the missile did have a nuclear capability and could have been capable of Land...
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
I would going to venture that a boat or ship going out with a completely full load of all weapon types is probably more the exception than the rule (for non-SSBNs).
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
Our SSBN patrols were always conducted with a full load of missiles and torpedoes. For all practical purposes we were in wartime mode all the time except we couldn't shoot without National Command...
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
Thanks. I found an article saying the Kursk was ordered to the Mediterranean following the wargames. I also would assume her being fully equipped when going this far...
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
I can't imagine an SSBN would ever sail without a full load. Since, I believe, there is exactly one missile per tube in existence, the Navy would have to store the un-shipped missiles somewhere very...
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
Submarine tender had storage space for spare missiles and torpedoes. Poseidon missile storage at Charleston, SC when that program was in existence. I imagine modern day trident missiles are stored at...
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
You would be incorrect on the one missile thing, I believe. And yes, they do have to store and refurb them; the UK's as well. In practice I think they get swapped out one for one for the Brits and its...
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
If nothing else, the "one missile per tube" thing is invalid because of a little-known rule (I'm not sure if it's law or just DOD policy) that requires that at least one example of every missile in US...
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
Speaking of which... LGM-30G Minuteman III launch from Vandenberg AFB, CA: Video: http://www.staynehoff.net/minuteman_III_launch.mpg Same launch:
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
Probably depends on what they're doing. For local training missions and such it wouldn't surprise me if only a partial loadout was carried. For deployments probably more of a full loadout. Boomers are...
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
I somehow vaguely recall that concrete gets poured into the tubes, whether that was for ballast or to satisfy a treaty obligation, or both, I couldn't say.
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
I would assume treaty obligation. Clearly the tube can be ballasted with water for the sub to maintain depth after firing, so it seems like there's no reason not to just use water. Though perhaps...
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
Water can be pumped out and the tube returned to service pretty quickly. Concrete, not so much.
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
That's why I assume it was a treaty issue and not a technical one. Though it would be interesting to know if boomers ever went out with an empty tube before having to be somewhat de-mil'd. Not...
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
jua wrote:That's why I assume it was a treaty issue and not a technical one. Though it would be interesting to know if boomers ever went out with an empty tube before having to be somewhat de-mil'd....
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If it is a big deal load a ballasted steel pipe. Non permanent, non corrosive. You guys make things hard.
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
sdmuleman wrote:Probably depends on what they're doing. For local training missions and such it wouldn't surprise me if only a partial loadout was carried. For deployments probably more of a full...
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
jua wrote:I would going to venture that a boat or ship going out with a completely full load of all weapon types is probably more the exception than the rule (for non-SSBNs).Yep. The DD I was on never...
View ArticleRe: Would a nuclear sub hit the high seas semi-armed?
Jay Tea NH wrote:I can't imagine an SSBN would ever sail without a full load. Since, I believe, there is exactly one missile per tube in existence, the Navy would have to store the un-shipped missiles...
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