Why America’s New Submarine is their Secret Weapon

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This ballistic missile submarine is slated to replace the aging Ohio Class subs currently in use. Second only to aircraft carriers, nuclear powered submarines are the most complex craft of the American arsenal. They are a major player in American global military strategy, and how the United States plans to keep its edge against other major world players such as China. When we think of the United States military being used in an international political capacity, we typically think air craft carrier groups sent to another nation’s coastline, or troops deployed to potential conflict zones, but rarely are submarines mentioned in this, despite the fact that they are a critical lynch pin in what is known as America’s nuclear triad.

Written by: Chris Cappy and Justin Taylor
Edited by: Savvy Studios

In short, the nuclear triad is a nation's way of guaranteeing that it never loses the ability to use its nuclear arsenal. This include first ground launched land based nuclear silos, second long range stealth bombers like the B2 or new B21, and third submarine launched nuclear ballistic missiles. When these capabilities are arranged like this it gives you a triangle which is my favorite shape of deterrence. Without any one of these options you would not have a credible hypothetical retaliation. Submarines would survive an enemies first strike of nuclear weapons against the mainland of the United States and be able to retaliate.

In game theory this hypothetically prevents an enemy from ever using its weapons in the first place. Although, Even though I have a bit of the ‘tism even I know people do not operate logically and rationally like game theory robots. Basically The theory is that the enemy could knock out one of your delivery options with a first strike against you but likely never all three at the same time. The US navy puts it this way. The Submarines are operated in a manner that makes their locations unpredictable, while still ensuring that our adversaries know that we have the ability to hold them at risk. This enduring, certain deterrent force acts as an important stabilizer; it is always there and always at the ready.

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