![]() “That’s one piece of metal that went on and it took 600 pounds of weld-filler to connect it to the hull. “This is the piece that we put on top of missile tubes 1 and 2,” he noted. Presenting a photo taken during the conversion process, Cockey highlighted the modification for the two Special Operations entry/egress tubes. The additional 66 berths, together with additional hygiene facilities, are intended for embarked Special Operations personnel. “We’ve also added 66 new berths, so this ship now has installed berthing for 250 people.” “Missile tubes 1 and 2 are now the entry and egress points up to the mini-sub area,” he continued. “But there are different configurations if we’re supporting a Special Forces mission we would carry less Tomahawks.” “Tubes numbered 3 through 24 have been modified to carry up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles,” Cockey said. Navy photo by MC3 Ian Schoenebergĭevoted to 24 “Trident” ballistic missile launch tubes, provides a range of options to support naval operations in a rapidly changing global environment. Note the two Dry Deck Shelters aft of the sail. ![]() The guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) under way during ANNUALEX 2008. The SSGNs are approximately 200 feet longer than standard “fast attack submarines.” The additional length, which had previously been Michael Cockey, commanding officer, USS Ohio, explained, “The differences you’ll note from a ballistic missile submarine include modification of the back of our ship to support two small : a mini-sub and a Dry Deck Shelter (DDS) – the way for Special Operations Forces to exit the ship in one of their vehicles.” Pointing to an artist’s conception of the converted SSGN, Cmdr. Four Ohio-class strategic missile submarines – USS Ohio (SSBN 726), USS Michigan (SSBN 727) USS Florida (SSBN 728), and USS Georgia (SSBN 729) were selected for transformation into SSGNs. ![]() 29, 2002 for conversion to SSGN at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Illustration of USS Ohio (SSGN 726) which underwent conversion from a Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN) to a Guided Missile Submarine (SSGN) designation. Primary missions for the new SSGNs will be Special Operations support and strike missions, with three major focus areas identified by the Navy: Global War on Terrorism Stability Operations and Prevailing in Major Combat Operations. ![]() The four new SSGNs – USS Ohio (SSGN 726), USS Florida (SSGN 728), USS Michigan (SSGN 727), and USS Georgia (SSGN 729) – measure 560 feet in length with a submerged displacement of more than 18,000 tons. General Dynamics Electric Boat has been responsible for SSGN design and conversion with Puget Sound and Norfolk Naval Shipyards conducting the overhauls. Congress approved funding to convert the four oldest Ohio-class SSBNs to SSGNs. As a result of that process, in 1999 the U.S. The SSBN conversion program had its genesis in the United States 1994 Nuclear Posture Review, which identified excess capacity of ballistic missile submarines in the strategic force inventory. With the official return to service of USS Ohio (SSGN 726) in February 2006, the Naval Special Warfare community marked a significant expansion of its capabilities to “take the fight to the enemy” in the current Global War on Terrorism and other 21st century contingency operations.Īs the first of four former Ohio-class SSBN submarines to be converted to new-generation SSGN platforms, SSGN 726 provides a glimpse of those new Naval Special Warfare and naval strike capabilities optimized for operations in an uncertain world.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |