Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

article said that currently only the U.S. Navy’s newest” Virginia “class nuclear attack submarines to counter China’s anti-ship ballistic missiles and satellites

According to the U.S. “DefPro” Defense News article on March 14: the number of submarines the United States is gradually reduced, due to funding problems, the new submarines in service not keep pace with the old retired submarine speed; so far, the Pentagon has yet to find a reasonable replace the old and new submarine program.

to “Virginia” class nuclear attack submarines, for example, this is the only underwater U.S. Navy ship construction program. Since the program began in 1990 as the construction side of the General Dynamics and Northrop – Grumman will build the ships by the company gradually the number of hours was reduced from 15 million 10 million; costs are thus reduced. Therefore, the two can now be made annually, rather than the original planned annual one. However, while the two companies intend to build two in fiscal year 2011, “Virginia” class submarines, but from Congress to cut funding for the construction funding crisis, which may set the second submarine construction at risk. Navy and construction Founder and strive to retain the first two submarines in the construction schedule, but if construction funding is based on “each and every year a submarine,” the resolution of the arrangements, then the construction of the first two submarines plan shelved.

This is not just the United States two major defense weapons, the problems faced by the construction side. If not two U.S. Navy submarines a year, its future ability to control the sea would be a big problem. The reason is that going to be “Virginia” class replaced by the “Los Angeles” class nuclear submarines during the Cold War at an annual rate of 3-4 vessels built. After three years in the use, due to embrittlement and other aging issues, “Los Angeles” class nuclear submarine propulsion reactors will have to retire. Obviously, if retired 3-4 ships per year, while only adding one or two, the size of the submarine fleet will be gradually reduced.

In fact, the number of U.S. submarines has been reduced. Reduced in accordance with the present speed, and soon after, the number of U.S. Navy submarines will be less than 48; and 48 is the U.S. Navy to cover the number of global interests, the minimum area. Under the current shipbuilding plan, even if the Navy made two each year, “Virginia” class nuclear submarines, only the total number of submarines will remain at 39 or so.

In other words, the current shipbuilding plan has led to the weakening of the U.S. Navy forces. If construction speed slower than it is now, then the future is not due to some crucial area near the U.S. submarine, the United States to reach these waters will take a long time. Attack submarines, especially super-quiet “Virginia” class nuclear submarine is by far the most stealth warships. In the face, such as China, with reconnaissance satellites and long-range anti-ship ballistic missiles country, (except for “Virginia” class nuclear submarine) other ships can only become “live targets.” However, there is no country has continued to track U.S. submarines. In addition to the South China Sea and the Persian Gulf such as this to survive in dangerous waters, the attack submarine also has a variety of functions, including: attack submarine and water vessels, cruise missile attack land targets, collection of different electronic and acoustic intelligence, special operations forces to deploy, and guide the other tasks and so on.

Therefore, if the number of submarines to a minimum operational requirements, under which no doubt will greatly affect the U.S. global military deployment. Loss of “Virginia” class submarine is especially true because the class submarines in shallow water guide on the previous level of operational performance of equipment more advanced submarines. However, the Government can not “Virginia” class to provide timely funding, leading to bigger problems – the fate of underwater vessels; because the Navy still needs to be replaced, “Ohio”-class ballistic missile submarine, and the U.S. nuclear deterrent submarine force the backbone. As the submarine has a very good stealth, so you can provide is essential for deterrence, the second strike capability. Unfortunately, in the next 20 years to build the ships may be tight funding situation, the Pentagon has yet to come up with a can be used to replace the “Ohio”-class submarine program. Everyone simply assumed that the problem will be solved, but politicians have recently sent a signal: Congress can not expect all plans to provide timely funding. Therefore, regardless of how the financial crisis or the federal government to consider a reasonable role in the future the United States must gradually lose its ability to fight underwater. (Sri Lanka years)