The Doomsday Ships: New U.S. Ballistic Missile Submarine Program

... problems it may face. Top Priority The most survivable component of the nuclear triad, the naval strategic nuclear force is the backbone of the U.S. nuclear juggernaut. According to the Congressional Research Service , by 2018 implementation of the START III Treaty will see SSBNs account for about 35 percent of total launchers and deployed launchers (280 out of 800 and 240 out of 700 respectively), as well as 70 percent of total warheads (1090 out of 1,550). SSBNs accounted for about 50 percent ...