SUBMARINES

Sea Power, Jan 2007

GUIDED-MISSILE SUBMARINES (SSGN)

BRIEFING: The conversion of four Ohio-class SSBNs to nuclearpowered guided-missile submarines (SSGNs) for strike warfare and special operations was authorized in December 2002. Each SSGN will be able to hold up to 154 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles. Most of the missile tubes will be able to hold Multiple All-Up-Round Canisters (MACs) that can accommodate seven Tomahawks each.

Additionally, the MACs can be removed and replaced with stowage canisters that can accommodate equipment for the 66 Special Operation Forces (SOF) members that can embark at one time aboard the SSGNs. To help facilitate SOF operations, the forward-most tubes are being converted into lock-in/lock-out chambers that double as docking stations for either an Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) or a Dry-Deck Shelter (DDS). The SSGNs will be able to carry two ASDSs, two DDSs, or one of each. Further, they will be equipped with the Common Submarine Radio Room, enhancing the SSGNs' ability to communicate.

Ohio began sea trials in November 2005, was delivered in December 2005 and returned to service Feb. 7, 2006, as SSGN 726. Florida, the second boat to begin overhaul and conversion, was delivered in April 2006 and returned to service May 25. The remaining two boats, Michigan and Georgia, entered drydock in March 2004 and March 2005, respectively, and are scheduled for delivery in December 2006 and September 2007, respectively. Initial operational capability for Ohio is planned for fiscal 2007.

Ohio Class (SSGN)

DISPLACEMENT: .........18,750 tons submerged

LENGTH:....................560 feet

BEAM: ....................42 feet

SPEED:....................25 knots submerged

POWER PLANT: ............1 nuclear reactor, steam-turbine driven, 1 shaft

ARMAMENT: ................up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles in tubes 3-24, lock-ln/lock out chambers in tubes 1 and 2 for ASDS and/or DDS, 4 torpedo tubes, Mk48 torpedoes

COMPLEMENT:............155

CONVERSION TEAM: ...Overhaul: Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Wash., and Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Va. Conversion: General Dynamics Electric Boat, Conn.

Homeport:

SSGN 726 Ohio....................Bangor, Wash. (AP 96698-2093)

SSGN 727 Michigan....................Bangor, Wash. (AP 96698-2096)

SSGN 728 Florida....................Kines Bay, Ga. (AE 09569-2099)

SSGN 729 Georgia....................Norfolk, Va. (AE 09570-2102)

BALLISTIC-MISSILE SUBMARINES (SSBN)

BRIEFING: The Navy's original 41-boat ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN) fleet served as a deterrent force for more than 30 years. As a result of successful negotiations with the then-Soviet Union to reduce the number of U.S. strategic weapons, the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union and later discussions with the Russian Republic, the Ohio-class SSBNs have become the nations sole underwater strategic deterrent force. The last of 18 Ohio-class boats was commissioned in September 1997. In March 1990, the ninth boat of the class, Tennessee, was the first to deploy with the advanced D-5 Trident missile; all later boats were armed with the D-5.

Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Nebraska, Maine and Louisiana were transferred from Kings Bay, Ga., to Bangor, Wash., in 2002-2005 to restore the SSBN force structure balance disturbed by the SSGN conversion program involving the first four Ohio-class boats (see below). The retrofit of SSBNs in Bangor with the UGM-133A Trident D5 missile - which is replacing the UGM96 Trident C4 missile - has been completed on Alaska, Nevada and Henry M. Jackson, and is under way on Alabama.

Ohio Class (SSBN)

DISPLACEMENT: .........18,750 tons submerged

LENGTH:....................560 feet

BEAM: ....................42 feet

SPEED:....................25 knots submerged

POWER PLANT:............1 nuclear reactor, steam-turbine driven, 1 shaft

SSBN ARMAMENT......24 tubes for Trident missiles, 4 torpedo tubes

COMPLEMENT: ............155

BUILDER:....................Electric Boat, Groton, Conn.

Homeport

SSBN 730 Henry M. Jackson..............Bangor, Wash. (AP 96698-2105)

SSBN 731 Alabama....................Bangor, Wash. (AP 96698-2108)

SSBN 732 Alaska ....................Norfolk, Va. (AE 09570-2102)

SSBN 733 Nevada....................Bangor, Wash. (AP 96698-2114)

SSBN 734 Tennessee ....................Kings Bay, Ga. (AA 34093-2117)

SSBN 735 Pennsylvanla....................Bangor. Wash. (AP 96698-2120)

SSBN 736 West Vlrglnla....................Kings Bay, Ga. (AA 34093-2123)

SSBN 737 Kentucky....................Bangor, Wash. (AP 96698-2126)

SSBN 738 Maryland....................Kings Bay, Ga. (AA 34092-2129)

SSBN 739 Nebraska....................Bangor, Wash. (AP 96673-2134)

SSBN 740 Rhode Island....................Kings Bay, Ga. (AA 34092-2135)

SSBN 741 Maine....................Bangor, Wash. (AA 96698-2138)

SSBN 742 Wyoming ....................Kings Bay, Ga. (AA 34093-2144)

SSBN 743 Louisiana ....................Bangor, Wash. (AA 96698-2144)

ATTACK SUBMARINES (SSN)

BRIEFING: Since the launch of the first nuclear-powered vessel. Nautilus, in 1955, the U.S. Navy has experimented with different sizes and shapes of hulls and with varying kinds of weapons and electronics systems. The last submarine in the Los Angeles class, Cheyenne, was commissioned in September 1996. Boats of the improved Los Angeles class, commencing with San Juan, are quieter and feature better weapons and combat systems, and increased firepower.