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Quote:

Originally Posted by DuncanDoenitz (Post 11603446)

Not my speciallist subject I must add, but I can't see it happening. Terrestrial based ICBMs are housed in concrete silos which can tolerate the high temperatures and pressures of an initial boost-phase motor, as well as accommodating ducting for the exhaust gasses. Can't see that on a surfaced sub where the weapons are packed in like sardines, and I don't know how else you are going to get the missile far enough from the host vessel to avoid damage.

I don't think the only other option is to hot-launch the missile! Being on the surface does not preclude the launch tubes from being flooded, and in any case public-source information suggests that the steam generator is separate from the launch tube. It is more complex than surface-only cold-launch systems because it has to work underwater, but there is no reason to think that it wouldn't work on the surface.

Isn't it a good thing the nukes don't work? Maybe their failure will ultimately save us all. Okay that's a joke but hoping your nukes work is kind of funny in a weird way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finningley Boy (Post 11602362)

Incidentally, is it the case that German Tiffies and their future Dave As are/will be capable of carrying a nuclear device? B61 or whatever will follow it?!

FB

Luftwaffe Eurofighter will not carry nuclear weapons - making the necessary changes to the weapon system and electrical systems - and then the US certification - would be prohibitively expensive.

Germany has bought the F-35A specifically to replace the Tornado IDS that are in the Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) role as part of the NATO Nuclear Sharing Program with B61.

All B61 in the NATO Nuclear Sharing Program will eventually be B61-12 which the F-35A is already certified to carry.

The specialist USAF C-17A transport unit for nuclear weapons has already been certified to move B61-12 as cargo to facilitate the changeover.

All other NATO countries that participate in the NATO Nuclear Sharing Program are replacing their F-16Cs with F-35A as well - Belgium, Netherlands, Italy.