15, 2002, and completed the conversion in December 2005 and deployed for the first time in October 2007. Electric Boat was awarded a contract in September 2002 to convert the four oldest of the class including USS Ohio (SSBN 726), Michigan (SSBN 727), Florida (SSBN 728) and Georgia (SSBN 729). Navy opted to convert the four to conventionally armed nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines (SSGNs). Rather than simply phasing out or decommissioning four of the boats, the U.S. Navy strategic missile submarines was limited to 14 beginning in 2002. A total of 18 of a planned 24 Ohio-class submarines were constructed by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics between 19.įollowing the START II treaty, the number of U.S. Navy, and the third-largest submarines ever built, the boats of the Ohio-class were initially designed to carry the concurrently developed Trident submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Scott Pappano, program executive officer for Strategic Submarines confirmed that the nuclear-armed Ohio-class SSBNs, as well as the SSGNs, would be examined for “short-repair availability.” He explained the need to maintain the boats during an Advanced Nuclear Weapons Alliance Deterrence Center online event held on May 12.Īs the largest subs ever constructed for the U.S. According to a report from The Drive, up to five of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines ( SSBNs), along with four others of the class that were converted into guided-missiles submarines ( SSGNs) are currently under evaluation for short-term life extension. While there have been plans to retire some of the older boats, the Navy may have to keep them around a little while longer. Aging Ohio-Class Submarines Could Get an Extension – The United States Navy currently operates 18 Ohio-class submarines, all of which were built between 19.
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