I discovered a nuke plant is about $100 million. So instead of 2.7bn it would be 2.6bn for a conventionally powered Virginia... The rest of the cost would still exist. Add to that 30 years of fuel, the maintenance all submarines need (lets use the USN's $50 million/yr and say it is regardless of powerplant). Moreover,…

It's called a life of the ship core. 33 years of fuel and 33 year estimated lifespan of the boat...

it's not 5-10x cheaper. The nuclear powered version of the SMX-Ocean, the Barracuda, is 1.3bn euros (1.6bn USD) . Most of that cost is retained when you swap it from a nuclear plant. Virginia has a unit cost of 2.7 billion dollars. Operating cost wise the USN says Virgina costs 50 million per year to operate and…

Not true on the noise front... Nuke boats when they are not moving can shut the pumps off and go into natural circulation.

They are comparing the cost of a Virginia vs. upgrading and un-mothballing a 688i... Nuclear has always been recognized as the only viable propulsion system for a real submarine. AIP will never be an option for a bluewater Navy.

Surface ships are far less dependant on stealth than a submarine... Most USN ships refuel every 2 weeks for ballast reasons. Additionally, they're all part of a strike group with a 6 month long mission supported by MSC and a boatload of refueling/reprovisioning tenders, submarines are on their own, they don't have…

That is not what I meant.

I'm aware it has a 90 day endurance.

I just wonder why they didn't add ejection seats for the test flights... They only weigh 200 pounds... If they don't have passengers wouldn't the extra mass be justifiable/ not change much (They would have to add load to the rear to balance the CG probably).

No better time to be driving than 10-11AM Saturday and Sunday in CT... Thanks Car Talk.

I don't think so... Virginia's never have to refuel... This is a step backwards and probably won't be much cheaper. If the USN fields this thing it would be a huge mistake. 21 days underwater maximum? That isn't a whole lot. America is surrounded by blue water, not brown water... transit times to areas of operation…

Cost... NO2/rubber is cheaper and lighter than cyrofuels and has better specific impulse than solids/can be turned off.

I'd use the IPD version:

$3.29 for regular in Northwestern CT & Madison CT...

Because that'd be too easy!

I take issue to calling 'dashing' at 20kts fast... A modern American SSN/SSBN cruises at 30+ literally forever (Yay fission!). I'd love to see a comparison of Gotland vs. a Seawolf/Virginia.

You do know that GA (general aviation) aircraft have the same rights as a 747 when it comes to landing at an airport? From like 11AM-2PM JFK's landing fee is $15! (I still have to do that one). I do touch and goes at Providence all of the time.

Volvo V70R. In 2004 it was a sub $40k car with 300HP.

Nah, I'll just go back to my 300HP, AWD, manual wagon.

Dodge should add AWD and a transfer case so it can swap between RWD and AWD.