Evening star., 1959-12-20
New BoIIistic Missile Submarines
Revise Strategic Conceptions
BY Benz PRICE
Associated Press stan Writer

On December 80 a whale-noSed
submarine. almost as large as a
small cruiser, is scheduled to
enter active service as the worlds
first SSBN-submarine, ballistic
missile, nuclear powered.
The appearance of the smooth
hulled, miSsile-packing George
Washington in the active United
States feet may well mark the
beginning of a drastic shift in
the Nations approach to nuclear
deterrence.
There are key military men in
the Pentagon who believe the
SSBN may ultimately become the
backbone of the United States
nuclear deterrent force. much as
the strategic air command is
now with its lopg-range nuclear
bombers.
The Background
Against this background a re-
porter asked Admiral Arleigh
Burke, chief Of naval operations,
to discuss the SSBN and related
naval matters. Before presenting
the far-ranging interview, in
question -and-answer form, these
points should be noted:
I. The Navy developed the
SSBN on the theory that oceans
provide perfect hiding place for
missile NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. their
capacity to retaliate even after
many fixed missile bases on land
should be knocked out in sur
prise attack. Present plans call
for the building Of three SSBNs
a year for the next IS years.
2. Commissioning Of the
George Washington will be only
a small step toward creation OF a
new weapons system. The ship
cost Sl05 million, has a crew OF
of 100 and an underwater dis
placement of 6,700 tons. 1t is de-
signed to carry 16 polaris missiles.
But as yet polaris is not opera
tional and is not expected to be
until sometime next year. The
missile eventually will have
range Of $500 miles.
8. While the George Washing
ton means an important strength
ening of the fleet, she has one
function only-nuclear retaliation.
As Admiral Burke points out, she
is useless for limited wars.
4. The Soviet Union is estimated
to have 500 submarines. While
the Russian undersea fleet has
been growing-and presumably the
Soviets are also building SSBNs-
the United States feet has been
shrinking steadily.
Text Of Interview
The interview:
@. This interview was prompted,
admiral, by the suspicion that the
Polaris system in terms Of deter
rent capability is one Of the dark
horses in the interservice) mis-
sile race. Comdr. M. G. Saunders
of the British Royal Navy has
made the observation that the
submarine is the one outstanding
weapon Of the missile age, that it
possesses mobility. surprise, en-
durance and high degree OF i'm
munity. Do you consider the
Polaris sub the one outstanding
weapon?
A. Yes and no. People can't put
things into nice little categories
like that. The Polaris submarine,
! think, will be one Of the most
effective retaliatory weapons in
the world. .. 1t has a lot OF ad-
vantages, but it can't cook.
In other words, there are lot OF
things it can't do. When you need
a squad of submarines in an area,
you can have 5000 Polaris sub
marines sitting off that area and
1t won't do a bit of good. Polarts
submarines are good only for re-
taliation in a general nuclear war
and that is all they are good for.
@. have been reading a trans
lation of a military book by two
Polish generals. They make the
point that surface ships, such as
carriers, will become obsolete in a
major war due to developments in
missile%heat seeking and other
homing devices. Do you foresee
that any time in the near future?
A. No, I don't. First, who's
speaking? Are they speaking for
our good or theirs?
@. This is addressed to their
internal organization.
A. But they haven't any car
riers. What interests do they
serve? That's the first thing to
watch. The second thing Is that
for every measure there is even
tually some sort Of countermeas-
ure.
On Loss Of Europe
@. Several experts lately have
indicated a belief that Western
Europe would be lost in event of
a major war. Do you believe
that?
A. No. With the advent of the
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