Ohio Class Guided Missile Submarine SSGN Categories. Manufacturer: General Dynamics Electric Boat Division Service: USN Armament: Up to 154 Tomahawk missiles, Mk48 torpedoes; 4 torpedo tubes Propulsion: One nuclear reactor, one shaft Speed: 20+ knots Crew: 15 Officers, 144 Enlisted Ohio-class guided-missile submarines (SSGN) provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. 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. 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. Therefore, the Navy decided to transform four Ohio-class submarines into conventional land attack and SOF platforms. 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.

The SSGN program oversees the development and. Conversion of USS Georgia From SSBN to SSGN 8:47:04 PM. The SSBN to the SSGN conversion is an.

Combatant commanders. 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. USS Ohio (SSGN 726) entered the shipyard on Nov. 15, 2002, completed conversion in December 2005 and deployed for the first time in October 2007. USS Florida (SSGN 728) commenced its refueling and conversion in August 2003 and returned to the fleet in April 2006. USS Michigan (SSGN 727) started its shipyard availability in October 2004 and delivered in November 2006.

USS Georgia (SSGN 729) completed conversion in December 2007. The Navy entered into a unique partnership to bring the SSGN concept to fruition. All four submarines required an Engineered Refueling Overhaul (ERO) in addition to extensive conversion work. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Washington carried out the EROs for both Ohio and Michigan while Norfolk Naval Shipyard, located in Virginia, conducted Florida’s and Georgia’s refueling.

The Navy awarded General Dynamics’ Electric Boat the contract to convert the SSBNs into SSGNs with the company carrying out that work within the Naval Shipyards-the first time such collaboration had been conducted. This first-of-a-kind partnership has proved highly successful as the program finished on time and on cost. Combined, the four SSGNs represent more than half of the Submarine Force’s vertical launch payload capacity with each SSGN capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles.

The missiles are loaded in seven-shot Multiple-All-Up-Round Canisters (MACs) in up to 22 missile tubes. These missile tubes can also accommodate additional stowage canisters for SOF equipment, food, and other consumables to extend the submarines’ ability to remain forward deployed in support of combatant commander’s tasking. The missile tubes are also able to accommodate future payloads such as new types of missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and unmanned undersea vehicles. The SSGNs have the capacity to host up to 66 SOF personnel at a time. Additional berthing was installed in the missile compartment to accommodate the added personnel, and other measures have been taken to extend the amount of time that the SOF forces can spend deployed aboard the SSGNs. The two forward most missile tubes were permanently converted to lock-out chambers that allow clandestine insertion and retrieval of SOF personnel. Each lock-out chamber can also accommodate a Dry Deck Shelter (DDS), enhancing the SSGNs' SOF capabilities.

During conversion, each SSGN received the Common Submarine Radio Room and two High-Data-Rate antennas for significantly enhanced communication capabilities. These additions allow each SSGN to serve as a forward-deployed, clandestine Small Combatant Joint Command Center. The SSGN is a key element of the Navy’s future fighting force. With its tremendous payload capacity, dual crew deployment concept, and inherent stealth, each SSGN brings mission flexibility and enhanced capabilities to the warfighter. Ships in class: USS Ohio (SSGN 726), Bangor, WA USS Michigan (SSGN 727), Bangor, WA USS Florida (SSGN 728), Kings Bay, GA USS Georgia (SSGN 729), Kings Bay, GA.

USS Michigan (SSBN-727) at a drydock in November 2002, before its conversion to an SSGN. Contents. Description The Ohio class was designed for extended war-deterrence patrols. Each submarine is provided with two complete crews, called the Blue crew and the Gold crew, which each typically serve 70- to 90-day deterrent patrols. To decrease the time in port for crew turnover and replenishment, three large logistics hatches have been installed to provide large-diameter resupply and repair access. These hatches allow rapid transfer of supply pallets, equipment replacement modules, and machinery components, speeding up replenishment and maintenance of the submarines.

Moreover, the 'stealth' ability of the submarines was a quantum leap over all previous ballistic-missile subs. Ohio was virtually undetectable in her sea trials in 1982, giving the U.S. Navy extremely advanced flexibility. Longitudinal cross-section diagram of Ohio-class submarines The class's design allows the to operate for about 15 years between major overhauls.

These submarines are reported to be as quiet at their cruising speed of 20 (37 km/h; 23 mph) or more than the previous at 6 knots (11 km/h; 6.9 mph), although exact information remains classified. Fire control for their is carried out by Mark 118 Mod 2 system, while the Missile Fire Control system is a Mark 98. The Ohio-class submarines were constructed from sections of hull, with each four-deck section being 42 ft (13 m) in diameter. The sections were produced at the facility, and then assembled at its shipyard. The US Navy has a total of 18 Ohio-class submarines which consist of 14 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), and four (SSGNs). The SSBN submarines are also known as 'Trident' submarines , and provide the sea-based leg of the U.S. Each SSBN submarine is armed with up to 24 (SLBM).

Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154, plus a complement of to be fired through their. See also: The first eight Ohio-class submarines were armed at first with 24 Trident I C4 SLBMs. Beginning with the ninth Trident submarine, the remaining boats were equipped with the larger, three-stage. The Trident I missile carries eight, while the Trident II missile carries 12, in total delivering more destructive power than the Trident I missile and with greater accuracy.

Starting with in 2000, the Navy began converting its remaining ballistic missile submarines armed with C4 missiles to carry D5 missiles. This task was completed in mid-2008. The first eight submarines had their home ports at, to replace the submarines carrying that were then being decommissioned. The remaining 10 submarines originally had their home ports at, replacing the and Trident Backfit submarines of the Atlantic Fleet. During the conversion of the first four submarines to SSGNs (see below), five of the submarines, and, were transferred from Kings Bay to Bangor. Further transfers occur as the strategic weapons goals of the United States change.

In 2011, Ohio-class submarines carried out 28 deterrent patrols. Each patrol lasts around 70 days. Four boats are on station ('hard alert') in designated patrol areas at any given time. From January to June 2014, Pennsylvania carried out a 140-day-long patrol, the longest to date. SSBN/SSGN conversions After the end of the, plans called for to be retired in 2002, followed by three of her sister boats. However, Ohio, and instead were slated for modification, to remain in service carrying conventionally armed guided missiles, and were redesignated as.

Cost estimate

The conversion modified 22 of the 24 88-inch (2.2 m) diameter Trident missile tubes to contain large, one configuration of which may be a cluster of seven. In this configuration, the number of cruise missiles carried could be a maximum of 154, the equivalent of what is typically deployed in a surface battle group.

Other payload possibilities include new generations of and cruise missiles, and Submarine Launched Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles, the, sensors for antisubmarine warfare or intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, countermine warfare payloads such as the, and the and specialized payload canisters. USS Ohio being converted from an SSBN to an SSGN in March 2004 The missile tubes also have room for stowage canisters that can extend the forward deployment time for special forces. The other two Trident tubes are converted to swimmer lockout chambers. For special operations, the and the can be mounted on the lockout chamber and the boat will be able to host up to 66 special-operations sailors or Marines, such as, or teams. Improved communications equipment installed during the upgrade allows the SSGNs to serve as a forward-deployed, clandestine Small Combatant Joint Command Center. On 26 September 2002, the Navy awarded a US$442.9 million contract to begin the first phase of the SSGN submarine conversion program.

Those funds covered only the initial phase of conversion for the first two boats on the schedule. Advanced procurement was funded at $355 million in 2002, $825 million in the FY 2003 budget and, through the five-year defense budget plan, at $936 million in FY 2004, $505 million in FY 2005, and $170 million in FY 2006. Thus, the total cost to refit the four boats is just under $700 million per vessel. The helm of the Ohio-class guided-missile submarine, USS Florida (SSGN-728), in March 2010 In November 2002, Ohio entered a, beginning her 36-month. Electric Boat announced on 9 January 2006 that the conversion had been completed. The converted Ohio rejoined the fleet in February 2006, followed by Florida in April 2006.

The converted Michigan was delivered in November 2006. The converted Ohio went to sea for the first time in October 2007. Georgia returned to the fleet in March 2008. These four SSGNs are expected to remain in service until about 2023–2026. At that point, their capabilities will be replaced with Virginia Payload Module-equipped. Replacement. Main article: The anticipates a continued need for a.

The first of the current Ohio SSBNs is expected to be retired by 2029, meaning that a platform must already be seaworthy by that time. A replacement may cost over $4 billion per unit compared to Ohio 's $2 billion. Navy is exploring two options. The first is a variant of the nuclear-powered attack submarines. The second is a dedicated SSBN, either with a new hull or based on an overhaul of the current Ohio.

With the cooperation of both Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding, in 2007, the U.S. Navy began a cost-control study. Then in December 2008, the U.S.

Cost-effectiveness Analysis

Navy awarded Electric Boat a contract for the missile compartment design of the Ohio-class replacement, worth up to $592 million. Newport News is expected to receive close to 4% of that project. Navy has yet to confirm an Ohio-class replacement program.

However, in April 2009, confirmed that the U.S. Navy should begin such a program in 2010.

The new vessel is scheduled to enter the design phase by 2014. It is anticipated that, if a new hull design is used, the program must be initiated by 2016 to meet the 2029 deadline. In popular culture. Retrieved 2011-09-27. 28 July 2016. ^ Frost, Peter. Archived from on 26 April 2009.

Retrieved 27 September 2011. (Subscription required ( help)).

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^ Adcock, Al (1993). Ballistic Missile Submarines. Carrolltown, Texas: Squadron Signal.

^ Adcock, Al (1993). Ballistic Missile Submarines. Carrolltown, Texas: Squadron Signal. Douglas Dalgleish and Larry Schweikart, Trident. Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University Press.

Kristensen, Hans M. (December 2012).

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Archived from on 1 October 2013. Retrieved 2011-09-27. Roots, Kimberly (January 29, 2018). Retrieved 2018-02-14. Further reading.

Dalgleish, D. Douglas and Larry Schweikart. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press.

Hutchinson, Robert (2006). Jane's Submarines War Beneath the Waves: From 1776 to the Present Day. New Line Books. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to.