SSGN - Guided Missile Submarines

SSGN Guided Missile Submarines are nuclear-powered submarines armed with tactical missiles and the ability to transport and support special operations forces.

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History

Entered Navy: Beginning 2003 / 2004.

Description

Four Ohio-class Trident submarines that were previously scheduled for inactivation during Fiscal Years 2003 and 2004 are being converted to guided missile submarines (SSGN) over a five-year period ending in 2008. The primary missions of the SSGN will be land attack and Special Operations Forces (SOF) insertion and support. Secondary missions will be the traditional attack submarine missions of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), battle space preparation, and sea control.

These ships will be armed with up to 154 Tomahawk? or Tactical Tomahawk? land attack missiles. They will have the ability to carry and support a team of 66 SOF personnel for up to 90 days as compared to 15 days for a SOF outfitted fast attack submarine (SSN). Clandestine insertion and retrieval of these Special Operations Forces will be enhanced by the ability to host dual dry deck shelters and/or Advanced Seal Delivery System. Each SSGN will be able to conduct a variety of peace-time, conventional deterrent, and combat operations all within the same deployment.

USS Ohio (SSBN 726) entered the conversion yard on 15 November 2002. On 14 January 2003, USS Florida (SSBN 728) became the first Ohio-class submarine to launch a cruise missile. The launch was made from underwater in the Gulf of Mexico.