The Navy entered into a unique partnership to bring the SSGN concept to fruition. USS Georgia (SSGN 729) completed conversion in December 2007. USS Michigan (SSGN 727) started its shipyard availability in October 2004 and delivered in November 2006. USS Florida (SSGN 728) commenced its refueling and conversion in August 2003 and returned to the fleet in April 2006. 15, 2002, completed conversion in December 2005 and deployed for the first time in October 2007. USS Ohio (SSGN 726) entered the shipyard on Nov. The SSGN Program Office refueled and converted four ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) into SSGNs in a little more than five years at a significantly lower cost and less time than building a new platform. This allowed the Navy to leverage existing submarine technology while at the same time expanding capability to meet the current and future needs of U.S. Therefore, the Navy decided to transform four Ohio-class submarines into conventional land attack and SOF platforms. The 1994 Nuclear Posture Review determined that the United States needed only 14 of its 18 SSBNs to meet the nation’s strategic force needs. Armed with tactical missiles and equipped with superior communications capabilities, SSGNs are capable of directly supporting Combatant Commander’s strike and Special Operation Forces (SOF) requirements. Ohio-class guided-missile submarines (SSGN) provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Propulsion: One nuclear reactor, one shaft Manufacturer: General Dynamics Electric Boat DivisionĪrmament: Up to 154 Tomahawk missiles, Mk48 torpedoes 4 torpedo tubes Vice Admiral Wolfe has stated that he believes the Ohio-class submarines will be upgraded to hypersonic missiles by 2025.Categories Navy Equipment Navy Ships and Submarines Ships and Submarines Special Operations Equipment Special Operations Ships and Submarines Submarines The addition of these missiles is to keep up with the updates taking place to other naval warships, which are expected to introduce hypersonic missiles to their arsenals. The so-called 'hypersonic missiles" are currently under development. The Nuclear ballistic Ohio-class submarines are expected to be replaced by the Virginia-class submarines, while the cruise missile submarines are expected to be replaced with specifically designed submarines or a newer, modified version of the current Ohio-class submarines.Īlongside these updates to the fleet, firepower is expected to undergo upgrades in the near future too. The entire fleet is due to be retired by 2029, and the US Navy are currently exploring their options. Upgrades to both the US Naval fleet and its onboard artillery are expected in the near future. Combined, all of these measures mean that the US Navy can maximize the time each submarine could spend on patrol. The crews will spend between 70 and 90 days away from their friends and family on board these submarines, patrolling the oceans.
Each submarine is served by two crews, the blue crew and the gold crew. Not only were these submarines built to maximize time at sea, but the way they are manned is also optimized with surgical precision. In order to reduce the amount of time these submarines would spend in ports, each one was fitted with three large hatches, which allowed for easy crew turn over, and a swift resupply process.Īs a result, the overhaul process for these submarines takes only 25 days, and each submarine can operate for up to about 15 years before any major overhaul is needed. And the standard for longevity of both time at sea and lifespan was set by this class of submarine. These submarines came into existence to meet the need for extended strategic deterrent patrols.
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