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The 14 Trident SSBNs carry together around 50 percent of the total U.S. strategic warheads. (The exact number varies in an unpredictable and highly classified manner below a maximum set by various strategic arms limitation treaties.) Although the missiles have no pre-set targets when the submarine goes on patrol, the SSBNs are capable of rapidly targeting their missiles should the need arise, using secure and constant at-sea communications links. The Ohio-class are the largest submarines ever built for the U. S. Navy, and are second only to the Russian Typhoon class submarine in mass and size.
The Ohio-class submarines are specifically designed for extended deterrent patrols. To decrease the time in port for crew turnover and replenishment, three large logistics hatches are fitted to provide large diameter resupply and repair openings. These hatches allow sailors to rapidly transfer supply pallets, equipment replacement modules and machinery components, significantly reducing the time required for replenishment and maintenance. The class design and modern main concepts allow the submarines to operate for 15+ years between overhauls.
The first eight Ohio-class submarines were originally equipped with 24 Trident I C-4 ballistic missiles. Beginning with the ninth Trident submarine, USS Tennessee (SSBN-734), the remaining ships were equipped with the Trident II D-5 missile system as they are built. Trident II can deliver significantly more payload than Trident I C-4 and more accurately. Starting with the USS Alaska in 2000, conversion of the remaining C4 equipped submarines to D5 is currently underway.
The first eight boats were homeported in Bangor WA to replace the Polaris A3 carrying submarines that were then being decommissioned. The remaining ten boats were originally homeported in Kings Bay GA, replacing the Atlantic-based Poseidon and Trident Backfit submarines. During the conversion of the first four hulls to SSGNs, (see below) three boats were shifted from Kings Bay to Bangor, the USS Pennsylvania (735), the USS Kentucky (737), and the USS Nebraska (739). Further shifts are occurring as the strategic needs of the US change.
Original plans called for Ohio (SSBN-726) to be retired in 2002, followed by her sisters. However, Ohio, Michigan (SSBN-727)Career Awarded: 28 February 1975 Laid down: 4 April 1977 Launched: 26 April 1980 Commissioned: 25 May 1985 Fate:Currently serving Stricken:N/A General Characteristics Displacement:15280 tons surfaced, 16782 tons submerged Length:560 feet Beam:42 feet Draf, Florida (SSBN-728)USS Florida (SSBN-728 an Ohio class ballistic missile submarine, was the fifth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the Nth state. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Con, and Georgia (SSBN-729)USS Georgia (SSBN-729 a Ohio class ballistic missile submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the fourth state. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, will be modified and remain in service as conventional missile submarines ( SSGNs).
Beginning in 20072007 is a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). Predicted Events January 1 Target date for the admission of Romania and Bulgaria to the European Union. March 1 USS Baltimore to be deactivated. March 19 Partial solar eclipse June NASA's M- 20102010 is a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). See also: 2010: Odyssey Two Events January 15 Annular solar eclipse (The longest lasting annular eclipse of the 21st century. February 12 to February 28 2010 Winter Olympics scheduled in Va, 22 of the 24 88-inch diameter Trident missile tubes will be modified to contain large vertical launch systemsVertical Launching System VLS is a firing system aboard United States Navy attack submarines and, and surface vessels belonging to the U. and other navies. Derived from the launch systems developed for ballistic missiles aboard SSBNs, VLS forms a scaled d (VLS), one configuration of which will be a cluster of seven Tomahawk missiles. If the maximum of 154 Tomahawks were loaded, one Ohio-class SSGN would carry an entire Battle Group's equivalent of cruise missiles. Other payload possibilities include new generations of supersonic and hypersonic cruise missiles, unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), the ADM-160 Miniature Air-Launched Decoy , sensors for anti-submarine warfare or intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, counter-mine warfare payloads such as the AN/BLQ-11 Long Term Mine Reconnaissance System (LMRS), and the broaching univeral buoyant launcher (BUBL) and stealthy affordable capsule system (SACS) specialized payload canisters.
The other two Trident tubes will be replaced by swimmer lockout and equipment pods. For special operations, a minisub will be mounted on the bow and the boat will be able to transport around a hundred Navy SEALs or other Special Operations Forces. (Such a large team of special forces is not expected to be frequently needed, however.)
On September 26, 2002, the Navy awarded General Dynamics a more than US$442.9 million contract to begin the first phase of the SSGN submarine conversion program. Those funds cover only the initial phase of conversion for the first two boats on the schedule. Advance procurement has been funded at US$355 million in fiscal year 2002, US$825 million in the FY '03 budget and, through the five-year defense budget plan, at US$936 million in FY '04, US$505 million in FY '05, and US$170 million in FY '06. Thus, the total cost to refit the four boats is just under US$700 million per boat.
In November 2002 Ohio entered drydock, beginning a 36-month refueling and conversion overhaul. She is scheduled to rejoin the fleet in 2007, followed by Michigan (SSGN-727)), Florida (SSGN-728), and Georgia (SSGN-729). These four SSGNs are expected to remain in service until 2023- 2026.