Dance W Bear “The US Signals Readiness to Launch Nuclear Strike Against Russia”
johnhelmer.org
johnhelmer.org
It’s weird to identify the location of an Ohio-class. However, I’m puzzled by the assumption that an SSBN’s appearance is a profound signal. State of play for China, Russia, USA -
A. All parties know when an SSBN is on patrol.
B. The inside and outside response times to a SLBM launch are understood by all parties.
C. All parties possesses an understanding of these sub’s likely operating areas.
So, if you know an SSBN is on patrol, know the minimum-maximum response time to an SLBM launch and know where the sub is likely to be there isn’t much of a signal here. The fleet-in-being presence of a survivable SSBN is a default part of the game theoretical element of first vs. retaliatory nuclear strike. There is no meaningful signal here.
Adding for clarity -
SLBM = Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile
SSBN = Nuclear submarine w/nuclear armed missiles
> The United States Navy's hull classification symbols for ballistic missile submarines are SSB and SSBN – the SS denotes submarine, the B denotes ballistic missile, and the N denotes that the submarine is nuclear powered.
Why write this article? I guess it helps to cement the idea that the U.S. is aggressive and a threat independent of (not in response to) Russian actions. The narrative, I suppose is: "If the U.S./NATO do anything aggressive towards Russia, well, it's nothing to do with the 'special operation' Ukraine. Look at how aggressive they are on the nuclear front, and how defenseless Russia is! This is all just a pretext to do what they've been planning all along!"