US Navy News and updates

[John Fedup]

Sure a single SSGN variant of an SSBN will carry more missiles, but you can have more Virginia Block V's.

Cost, missile capacity, speed, how quiet, and crewing issues are weighed and I guess a USN team evaluation decides which path is best…I don’t know but hopefully they do albeit the track record on other USN decisions is somewhat tarnished.

One current SSGN has the missile load of 4 Virginia block 5 SSNs. The Columbia SSBN has a missile compartment with 12 Tridents versus the Ohio's 16 so unless the Columbia is enlarged, its SSGN derivative would equal 3 block V Virginia SSNs. Setting cost aside, the extra crewing issue might be the biggest issue wrt SSGN versus SSN Virginia block V.

 

[FormerDirtDart]

In today's BBGN news US Chief of Naval Operations states that the A1B reactor, used to power the Ford-class carriers, will be used to power the Trump-class ships.
Not answered, how many reactors will each ship receive. Historically US nuclear powered surface combatants have been equipped with two reactors, and two A1B would seem like a huge amount of excess installed power

Trump-class Battleship will get same nuclear reactor as Ford aircraft carrier - Breaking Defense

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle confirmed the battleship would share several design features with the USS Ford.

breakingdefense.com

 

[John Fedup]

In today's BBGN news US Chief of Naval Operations states that the A1B reactor, used to power the Ford-class carriers, will be used to power the Trump-class ships.
Not answered, how many reactors will each ship receive. Historically US nuclear powered surface combatants have been equipped with two reactors, and two A1B would seem like a huge amount of excess installed power

Trump-class Battleship will get same nuclear reactor as Ford aircraft carrier - Breaking Defense

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle confirmed the battleship would share several design features with the USS Ford.

breakingdefense.com

What is the size of a A1B reactor? There is a lot more space in a 100,000 ton ship versus a 30,000 ship. Guessing the earlier surface combatant reactors weren't considered reliable enough 40- 50 years ago to utilize only one. In any event, I really can't see this class happening.

 

[StevoJH]

What is the size of a A1B reactor? There is a lot more space in a 100,000 ton ship versus a 30,000 ship. Guessing the earlier surface combatant reactors weren't considered reliable enough 40- 50 years ago to utilize only one. In any event, I really can't see this class happening.

1 reactor with backup diesel generators would surely have to be enough, but I suppose that would depend on the speed requirement and hull form.

It still leaves the question of what shipyard they get built in? Even if built as modules, the final assembly would presumably have to be at a Nuclear Certified facility which considerably reduces the possible locations.