[rottndog]

But the problem isn't one quieter than the other, it's that both are as quiet as each other. And detecting the opposition just got that much harder.

And there, I believe, is an Achilles heal of the nuc boat. If they are so close tactically, why not just buy 10 diesels for the cost of one nuc?

[Non-Sequitur]

And there, I believe, is an Achilles heal of the nuc boat. If they are so close tactically, why not just buy 10 diesels for the cost of one nuc?

We don't have a coastal defense navy. Our subs spend most of their time thousands of miles offshore taking the fight to our opponents. A nuke can get to the conflict quicker and with more stealth, and remain on station longer once there, than a diesel can. They're faster, longer ranged, carry more weapons, and offer more flexibility. If all we were worried about was keeping enemy subs out of the Caribbean then I'd agree with you. But our theater of operations is much larger than that.

[dennisw]

And there, I believe, is an Achilles heal of the nuc boat. If they are so close tactically, why not just buy 10 diesels for the cost of one nuc?

We should be doing that. My nightmare is that swarms of cheap quiet diesels subs can take out super expensive US Navy ships. Functioning like an RPG, meaning creating lots of expensive damage at a low cost. RPGs and anti-tank rockets have neutralized Israel's armor, neutralized that costly advantage. Small diesel subs can wreck our "armor" of the high seas, our aircraft carriers

Israeli armor now has a much harder time projecting and so will our heavily armored and heavily protected Navy ships