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Yes Virginia, there is a vertical launch capability: Dutton confirms US SSNs

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Speaking about the next RAN submarines on ABC Insiders on Sunday 6 March Australia’s Defence Minister Peter Dutton spoke the magic words ’vertical launch system’. Answering a question on whether Australia would contemplate joining military action against China in defence of Taiwan he said that “keeping Australians safe” led to the AUKUS agreement “to acquire the nuclear .. sub capability .. [that] allows potentially a vertical launch system or some use of missiles which would speak to a very strong deterrence message.” This is virtually a commitment to acquiring the US Virginia-class SSN (nuclear-powered attack submarine), as the UK’s Astute-class SSN does not have a vertical launch system (VLS) in its design. It also sets free a huge mound of wriggling policy and operational worms. PM Morrison and Defence Minister Dutton are at odds over the timing of the submarine decision (post-election or in the next few weeks) and the feasibility of the project is supposed to be the subject of a
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An ADF Advanced Operational Energy Centre

Because something is happening here But you don’t know what it is Do you Mister Jones Bob Dylan, “Ballad of a Thin Man” The old paradigm of energy predominantly being created by the consumption of matter and generally used instantaneously, is declining. The new model developing to replace it is, increasingly, one of the capture of existing energy, its storage when not consumed at creation, and use when needed. This transformation is occurring through the development of a range of technologies, each with their own requirements, performance and potentials whilst carrying implications or presenting opportunities. The Australian Defence Force needs a mechanism to understand and best utilise these emerging technologies. The Impact of a Transforming Energy Paradigm on Military Operations This blog originated as a study into propulsion options for the RAN’s next generation of submarines, the Attack class program. The chief issue here was that the acquisition strategy for
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Yes Virginia, there is a vertical launch capability: ADDENDUM

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Addendum: And Then, What Else Might China Do? When you attempt to join the big league, it should be no surprise that the established players take you seriously. So, as Australia has sought a place in the strategic manoeuvring in the conflict between China and Taiwan through the formation of AUKUS, it should be no surprise that China would take steps to neutralise Australia's presence. Already strongly placed with its submarine warfare developments, China is now developing further options to restrict Australia's capacity to mount a submarine-based challenge to China's interests. One such option became apparent in late March when the text of a proposed security arrangement between the People's Republic of China and the Solomon Islands was leaked. Much of the text was vague and imprecise but it immediately raised the possibility that China might be setting up conditions that would allow it to position naval vessels in the Solomons. Even the faint possibility of
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