ABSTRACT
In the content analysis and hardware analysis sections, findings were based upon the author’s reading of the literature or on his assessment of capability. This chapter discusses varying hypothesis of interest in light of the findings thus far. The only significant increase in military capability should the Soviets break out additional Yankees to North American waters would be the potential to increase the intercontinental ballistic missile pin-down threat. There is a general theory that Soviet nuclear ballistic missile submarines that routinely deploy or could surge or mobilize in heme voters will be held as a strategic reserve. Normal hardware analysis would include an assessment of past employment in armed conflict and employment in exercises. The Soviet Navy has never been involved in a nuclear war, hence the body of experience is simply lacking. All official US assessments of Soviet military hardware fail to list surface ships as targets for ballistic missiles.
