Are SSGNs expected to play a signficant part in the PLAN's underwater fleet of the future?Yup, you have to consider that Virginia Block V is stretched to about the same length as the French and UK SSBNs! Unless 09V emerges >>120m long from the outset, 24 conventional VLS cells is perfectly fine for a more traditional configuration.
The Block 5 Virginias are extended in length in order to fit the 4 VPMs, which are meant to increase the missile payload per boat and succeed the aging Ohio-converted SSGNs.
So clearly the USN sees the importance of the SSGNs for its underwater fleet.
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