Going Boeing
Well-Known Member
Looking at the timeline of buying/leasing Virginia’s in the mid 2030’s, that would preclude the Block 1 & 2 boats as there would be insufficient reactor fuel remaining for the time period that we would require them. Block 3 Virginia‘s are the first with 2 VPT’s mounted in the bow and an updated sonar so I think that 3-5 of these may be likely to be acquired. The second last Block 3 is the USS South Dakota which is the test boat for a large number of new technologies so I’m sure that one won’t be available.When you think about it of course the boats will be secondhand. The unions would freak out if we had new build boats. Also it makes little sense to buy 3 to 5 new build Virginias and then swap over to British SSN(R). Finally there is no way you would get brand new submarines built by the early 30s.
My guess is that we will get a few older block submarines that will have just enough hull life left in them to see us through to new built British boats.
Another question I would have is whether or not we would proceed with the Collins LEX.
Really to raise crews for even just three SSNs by the early to mid 30s we would probably have to divest ourselves of the Collins class.
My understanding is that the Collins class LOTE has been locked in for all 6 boats since circa April 2021 so I expect that will proceed, there may be some penalty costs if that changes. There’s no doubt that manning the SSN’s is going to involve a lot off effort in recruiting and training.