Comment Re:This, and then some (Score 1) 439
we can expect our apparently immortal B-52 fleet (also a system whose demise has been predicted time and time again) to perform our ground saturation missions with massive loads of dumb bombs.
The main reason why the B-52 continues to hang around is that it is a relatively cost effective bomb truck. It can carry a huge assortment and amount of ordinance, and loiter overhead for hours, delivering what's needed on call.
Submarines are in the same boat (If you'll pardon the pun). As long as there is need for nuclear deterrence, the boomers will continue to slip out to sea, and make for a hole in the water. The ocean is incredibly large, and finding the SSBN is harder than a needle in a field of haystacks. For the attack boats? There will probably always be a role, whether it's shore attack (using cruise missiles), special forces delivery, or whatever else.