![]() ![]() Although the Trident missiles have no preset targets when the submarines go on patrol, : 392 they can be given targets quickly, from the United States Strategic Command based in Nebraska, using secure and constant radio communications links, including very low frequency systems. The 14 SSBNs together carry about half of U.S. Air Force strategic bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles. Like its predecessor Benjamin Franklin- and Lafayette-class subs, the Ohio-class SSBNs are part of the United States' nuclear-deterrent triad, along with U.S. At 20 Trident II missiles apiece, Ohio-class boats carry just as many missiles, if not more, than either the Borei class (16, 20 on the Borei II) or the deactivated Typhoon class (20). They are the world's third-largest submarines, behind the Russian Navy's Soviet-designed 48,000-ton Typhoon class (class retired in 2023) and 24,000-ton Borei class. Each displacing 18,750 tons submerged, the Ohio-class boats are the largest submarines ever built for the U.S. The Ohio class of nuclear-powered submarines includes the United States Navy's 14 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and its four cruise missile submarines (SSGNs). General characteristics (SSGN conversion)Ģ2 tubes, each with 7 Tomahawk cruise missiles, totaling 154 General characteristics (SSBN-734 and subsequent hulls upon construction, SSBN-730 to SSBN-733 since refueling)Ģ0 × Trident II D5 SLBM with up to 12 MIRVed W76 or W88 (475 kt TNT) nuclear warheads each, range 6,100 nmi (11,300 km 7,000 mi) General characteristics (SSBN-726 to SSBN-733 from construction to refueling)Ģ0 × Trident I C4 SLBM with up to 8 MIRVed 100 kt TNT W76 nuclear warheads each, range 4,000 nmi (7,400 km 4,600 mi) BQQ-6 passive bow-mounted array (which includes BQS-13 fire control array) Ĥ × 21 inch (533 mm) Mark 48 torpedo tubes (Forward Compartment 4th level).25 knots (46 km/h 29 mph) submerged (reported).20 knots (37 km/h 23 mph) submerged (official).The Congressional Budget Office estimates each submarine will cost $5.5 billion.USS Ohio, during her commissioning ceremony in 1981. SSN(X) will likely begin construction in the 2030s, after the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines are completed. ![]() The new sub could also incorporate unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) for missions such as baiting enemy ships into a trap or providing terminal guidance for guided torpedoes while SSN(X) sneaks away. While the Virginia class has fewer torpedo tubes and carries Tomahawk cruise missiles for striking targets on land, SSN(X) will mount more torpedoes and torpedo tubes for attacking ships above and below the waves. In addition, Russia’s new Yasen -class cruise missile submarines have an estimated maximum depth of 2,000 feet.Īccording to USNI News the submarine will also shift back to torpedoes as its primary armament. Designed to vaporize coastal cities and military facilities with up to a 100 megaton warhead, an incoming Poseidon torpedo would have to be stopped at all costs. Diving depth is particularly important given Russia’s new apocalypse torpedo, Poseidon, has a claimed operating depth of 3,128 feet. Like the Seawolf class, SSN(X) will be large and a deep diver. Kazan, an improved Yasen-class nuclear powered cruise missile submarine, March 2017. The rise of the Chinese Navy and the slow return of Russia’s submarine forces mean that the Navy must prepare for clashes with numerous and technologically advanced enemy fleets. USNI News reports that the Navy is in the conceptual stages of a true successor to the Seawolf class, SSN(X). The Virginia boats have just four torpedo tubes and are limited to a depth of just 800 feet, but they are better suited to supporting a broader mission set, including intelligence collection and deploying Navy SEALs. ![]() The Navy truncated the program to just 3 subs, each of which cost $4.4 billion each, and turned its attention to developing the smaller, more versatile, more affordable Virginia class. The projected cost was $33 billion for just 12 submarines. Although the most advanced submarines ever built, the implosion of the Soviet Navy at the end of the Cold War effectively left them without an adversary. built only three Seawolf submarines from the late 1990s to early 2000s. Attack submarine USS Topeka taking on torpedoes at Guam. ![]()
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