The Navy’s Ohio class SSBN submarines were built with 24
missile tubes. However, due to
provisions of the New START treaty (effective 2011) with Russia, each sub has
had 4 of its missile tubes permanently deactivated resulting in just 20
functional tubes/missiles.(1) I was
unaware of that.
As a brief reminder, 18 Ohio class SSBNs were built,
however, the 1994 Nuclear Posture Review study resulted in a
reduction in the requirement from 18 to 14.
The 4 subs that were deemed unnecessary were converted to guided missile
subs (SSGN) each of which can carry 154 Tomahawk missiles.
START was conceived for a two-power scenario (US-Russia). Is this still wise and viable given the rise
of China as a global threat? START
constrains the US while China is unconstrained.
Is this wise?
