Trident: Blurred Mission Makes Use More Likely

by Glen Milner

The Trident submarine system, developed and deployed during the Cold War, represented a major shift in nuclear war-fighting strategy�from mutually assured destruction to a pre-emptive first strike. Missiles launched from hidden positions in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans became capable of traveling over 4500 miles, delivering nuclear warheads within 300 feet of their targets in much less time than land-based missiles.

From 1982, with the deployment of the USS Ohio, the Trident system steadily evolved to a total of 18 submarines. Added to their first strike capability are advancements in satellite warfare and submarine warfare, and increased sophistication of U.S. intelligence, providing instant communication and precise navigation for U.S. missiles. Our ability to destroy becomes nearly absolute.

Today, military planners are proposing ways to make nuclear weapons more useable, including the nuclear B61-11 �bunker-buster�, �mininukes� for specific targets, and the tactical and �substrategic� use of the Trident submarine system. Nuclear war becomes more likely in the process.

In 2000, four of the eight submarines at Bangor, Washington began a $6.5 billion refit to the longer range and more accurate Trident II (D-5) missile. The others have been given a different mission.

In July 2001, Navy Secretary Gordon England announced the four older Trident submarines at Bangor will be converted to a new class submarine cruise missile launcher (SSGN). 22 of the 24 launch tubes on each Trident submarine will carry seven Tomahawk cruise missiles for a total of 154 missiles. The remaining two tubes would be modified for a swimmer delivery system for 66 special operations personnel.

Tomahawk cruise missiles are capable of distances up to 1,000 miles, delivering various types of conventional warheads weighing from 700 to 1,000 pounds. Traveling at approximately 550 miles per hour, missiles can strike within 30 feet of their target. Underwater warfare officials promote the fact that Trident SSGN submarines can remain hidden for months at a time and bring significant firepower to enemy shores without detection. The Trident SSGN submarines can ripple fire all 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles within six minutes.

As we now evolve into a state of permanent war with no announced boundaries, the Trident SSGN submarines will be put to use. During the January 1991 Persian Gulf War, 288 Tomahawk missiles were launched against Iraq from U.S. Navy ships and submarines. On October 7, 2001, the first day of the attacks against Afghanistan, 50 Tomahawk missiles were launched. Cruise missiles have become the �weapon of choice� by the Department of Defense.

As a nation, should we be more dependent upon missiles than on international diplomacy? We have already shown our ability to act without restraint, and even without correct information when the U.S. mistakenly launched cruise missiles against a pharmaceutical plant in Sudan in 1998.

Other problems exist with the Trident cruise missile conversion:

1. The SSGN submarine conversion may violate international arms agreements. To be compliant, the Trident missile section must be cut out of the hull and a new section installed. Cost estimates for the conversion are rapidly rising. Costs are much higher to completely replace the missile section.

2. Does a mission exist for the clandestine launch of as many as 154 cruise missiles? Or would a smaller amount from existing attack submarines be sufficient for military planners? Similarly, is there compatibility of cruise missile deployment and Navy SEAL operations? Can the Trident, the largest U.S. submarine ever built, even come close enough to enemy shores?

3. Tomahawk cruise missiles raise other nuclear proliferation questions. In 1991, President George Bush announced that all tactical nuclear weapons would be removed from U.S. vessels. In the fiscal year 2000 Annual Report to the President and the Congress, U.S. Defense Secretary Cohen states, �Nuclear weapons capability on surface ships has been eliminated but the capability to deploy Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles armed with a nuclear warhead on submarines has been maintained.� Nuclear armed Tomahawks are still operational.

In addition, the Bremerton Sun in May 2001 reported that 160 cruise missile nuclear warheads are in storage at the Bangor base where the Trident SSGN submarines will be deployed. How can we know that nuclear warheads will not be deployed on the Tomahawk missiles?

4. The SSGN conversion will cost an estimated $3.34 billion. An estimated $12 billion would be saved over the life of the program if the SSGN conversion was canceled and the four submarines decommissioned.

Public discussion is needed on the Trident cruise missile conversion at Bangor. We would find a greater security for our nation and the world if the Trident submarines were put away for good.

Glen Milner lives in Seattle and is a member of Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action in Poulsbo, Washington. Please see website www.gzcenter.org.