M51 Missile Nears First Test Launch; Will Equip Final SSBN in 2010

[RubiconNZ]

I recieved a very comphrensive and interesting article from Defense Aerospace today so I thought I would post the link...

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cg...0.1159207335.RRgZp8Oa9dUAADIzlc0&modele=jdc_1

Some questios that I have that arise from the article...
Could anyone help me on pumpjet propulsions and its benefits. I will try and find other classes that use it but I was unaware of it being used by any navies bar the Virginia's.

Additionally France will potentially have submarines that carry more Warheads than US and Russia, is France constrained by any Nuclear Arm treaties or could they conceivably equip missiles with 12 MIRVS each.

 

[EnigmaNZ]

Off the top of my head, the new Astute class also use pumpjet propulsion, as did it's predecessor, the Trafalgar class. There is the Seawolf and the Virginia, one 688 class, Cheyenne. I don't know of any conventionals with it, althought a Kilo has been used as an experimental hull for one. I believe they are less effecient at the slower speeds of a conventional.

 

[dioditto]

Just curious, why did they say it "Will Equip Final SSBN in 2010" ?

What, do they think the world will end before 2010? :sick

 

[gf0012-aust]

Just curious, why did they say it "Will Equip Final SSBN in 2010" ?

What, do they think the world will end before 2010? :sick

The Mayan Calendar says that the world ends in 2012.

 

[DoC_FouALieR]

Additionally France will potentially have submarines that carry more Warheads than US and Russia, is France constrained by any Nuclear Arm treaties or could they conceivably equip missiles with 12 MIRVS each.

No we could not equip each missile with 12 Mirvs each, because of strategic weapons limitations, and because the M-51 can only carry 6 warheads of approx. 150 kT each.
And it is not exclude that a missile could carry a single, larger warhead with variable-yield capability, in order to make "pinpoint" preemptive strike, regarding the new deterrent policy our President explained in a previous public speech.

Pumpjet propulsion is needed as we want quieter and quieter subs, because it greatly reduces the risk of cavitation of the propeller and lower the vibration of the rotor due to high rotation speeds.

 

[RubiconNZ]

No we could not equip each missile with 12 Mirvs each, because of strategic weapons limitations, and because the M-51 can only carry 6 warheads of approx. 150 kT each.
And it is not exclude that a missile could carry a single, larger warhead with variable-yield capability, in order to make "pinpoint" preemptive strike, regarding the new deterrent policy our President explained in a previous public speech.

Oh alright, I wan't aware that the SALT or START's were binding for any nation other than the US and now Russia,
Cheers