IN 1978 the Uss Groton cost about $370 Million.
In 1985, the Uss Augusta cost about $700 Million. This was the same time the VLS boats were coming out (Uss Providence, SSN 719). When the last 688 was commisioned in 1996, I believe they cost about $850 Million a pop.
The 688s were a good deal. The Seawolf's were nice and pretty but not practicle for the times. Plus they were extremely expensive.
IMHO, the new Virgina class is a huge mistake. Smaller than the Seawolf it is still larger than the 688 class. You have to understand the 688 is a huge boat. A large, expensive ($1.5B a unit) Fast Attack like the Virginia is not feasible in todays battleground.
The US Navy should of lotted for a smaller, less expensive submarine. This smaller sub could of carried the same weapon types and very capable sensors as the Virginia.
With the new COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) hardware and software size should of not been a problem. The actually cabinets making up most of the processing equipemnt for sonar, fire control, data processing, navigation, radio, ship control and communications can be configured into a much smaller package. The size of a submarine is mainly determined by it's reactor plant. So make a huge submarine like the Virginia seems more of a political move than necessary one.
Years ago I used to take pride in calling myself and ex-bubblehead. After seeing some of the crap that has been going on the silent service in the last 10 years, it is to the point where I am disgusted.
