1. In the 1950s, the US navy designed and tested the Martin P6M Sea Master, a seaplane capable of Mach 0.8, had a range of 2,000 miles, and could carry 2 Mark 11 nuclear bombs, conventional bombs, mines, and torpedoes. The concept was considered viable (although it had a few kinks in development), however due to budget cuts and competing with nuclear submarines, the Navy decided to drop the project.
2. Given the advantages that Seaplanes have over submarines in terms of speed, the ability to avoid radar and sonar via sea skimming, and the ability to land and take off on water, what if the United States navy either decided to go with seaplane strategic bombers for nuclear strikes instead of submarines, or tries to do both? What impact would this have on nuclear strategy and development moving forward?
2. Given the advantages that Seaplanes have over submarines in terms of speed, the ability to avoid radar and sonar via sea skimming, and the ability to land and take off on water, what if the United States navy either decided to go with seaplane strategic bombers for nuclear strikes instead of submarines, or tries to do both? What impact would this have on nuclear strategy and development moving forward?