Posted on May 11, 2015
CH (MAJ) William Beaver
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What is the Navy's most lethal warship in today's fleet? The aircraft carrier? The submarine? Something else? What say you?
Posted in these groups: Navy NavyWeapons logo WeaponsFf98e4cc Submarines
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PO3 Isaac Bilano
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Undoubtedly, an SSBN with a couple of dozen of Trident D-5 missiles. Civilization would be over if they ever have to be used.
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SCPO Larry Knight Sr.
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Edited 10 y ago
As much as it pains me to admit, it's the Ohio class SSBN. I'm partial to the CGN newer as well as the older class like the USS Long beach.
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SCPO John Croix
SCPO John Croix
10 y
The SSBN has it's supporters but the most lethal is the DDG. The destroyer can handle ASW, AAW, surface to air missiles, anti-ship missiles, surface to surface missiles and she can do shore bombardment, close in troop support, and H&I missions until the cows come home.  Not to mention protecting the CV's in every CTG.
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CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter
CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter
10 y
Come on senior chief. You take a DDG and I'll take a carrier and I'll fight you any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
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CMDCM Gene Treants
CMDCM Gene Treants
10 y
SCPO Larry Knight Sr. since I was CMC of USS ANZIO (one hull number up from USS Shiloh (CG-67)) I do not remember our NUKE PLANT very well. Seems to me we had something like 4 × General Electric LM2500 gas turbine engines.
I loved my Cruiser and if push came to shove, I would go back to sea or war on her, but head to head - Nimitz Class has us every time in terms of lethality.
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SCPO Larry Knight Sr.
SCPO Larry Knight Sr.
10 y
Well if we really want to go into depth now rather then a technical aspect. I'd probably look into a up to date version of the ole "PT" boat loaded with stealth technology and enough weaponry to tackle anything currently on or below the high seas.

I like the idea of the get in hit the sob and move out to the next target before they figure out what knocked the shit out of them.

I wasn't referring to the propulsion plant MCPO Gene Treants, just weapons systems in its arsenal.
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CMDCM Gene Treants
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Single most LETHAL? Although I am a surface Sailor, I am also a realist. Ohio Class SSBN carries the most lethal load of weapons ever put on ANY single weapon ever. That is just a fact and undeniable. Once the tubes are empty, however, it is done and the mission is LOST. Our SSBN Mission is deterrent, pure and simple.

Next, most people would say the Aircraft Carrier followed by the AEGIS Cruiser. Both very logical choices and very true in many areas of the world, but this is a new world and a new war. I am traditional and really have a hard time getting out of the box, BUT today we have enemies who are not just in one area or easily found.

NAVY fights in the area of the SEAS, not far inland. Our newest ships are designed for the LITTORALS, the areas near the shores. While not as lethal in overall firepower, this is a ship designed for multiple -missions from maritime security operations, including drug interdiction and anti-piracy, to helicopter support in search and rescue. BUT, there may be even better options over the horizon.

Read it all if you start! it is a page turner! AND yes, out of the BOX!
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PO2 Work Center Supervisor (Wcs)
PO2 (Join to see)
10 y
I need to go on a ship
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CMDCM Gene Treants
CMDCM Gene Treants
10 y
Sailors belong on ships and ships belong at sea. We usually leave our troubles at the dock. I never had a really great time ashore PO2 (Join to see) unless it was a Liberty Port.
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CPO Information Systems Technician
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10 y
FWIW, the SSBN crews are quite well-trained for post-"limited-nuclear-exchange" scenarios. They actually do more tracking exercises and tactical readiness inspections than fast-attack boats, per year, and they almost always "win" their engagements. I've seen an SSBN go up against a carrier group, 2x P-3's and another SSN for three days and come up the winner, with kills scored on the opposing sub, the heavy and several escorts without much difficulty. Granted, not all boats or crews are created equal...
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CMDCM Gene Treants
CMDCM Gene Treants
10 y
I have also been on a surface ship that has pinned a target underwater for a few days or more and suddenly received orders to "go away" from on high. That we were tracking a target the was not there and just go somewhere else. Even after we knew who it was and what game we were playing, oh well. BTW CPO (Join to see) diesel boats are still more fun to track.
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PO1 Joseph Frazier
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I want to say the cruiser and destroyers since that's what I served aboard. But to be honest, it has to be the "silent" Navy. Our subs are tough to find and track.
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MSgt Electrical Power Production
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Anything with a weapon!
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CPO Jim Cook
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FBM Submarine
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CPO Dale Smith
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One Sailor or Marine with a radio, field glasses and a compos.
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LCDR Graduate Student
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10 y
I agree. A fully "armed" JTAC is by far the most potent conventional weapon "system" we have (yes, technically more than SEALs) but that's for a different argument.
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PO3 Jim Sells
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Being an ex submarine sailor I believe the SSBN is the most lethal. We had the power to decimate entire countries and they would never see it coming!!!
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PO2 Brian Appel
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The American sailor is the most leathal weapon in the American Navy everything else is just a tool
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LCDR Naval Aviator
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Most lethal is the SSBN. The most useful is the CVN.
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