Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines - SSBN

Description
Since the 1960s, strategic deterrence has been the SSBN’s sole mission, providing the United States with its most survivable and enduring nuclear strike capability.

Features
The Navy’s fleet ballistic missile submarines, often referred to as “Boomers,” serve as an undetectable launch platform for intercontinental missiles. They are designed specifically for stealth and the precision delivery of nuclear warheads.

Ohio class SSBNs can carry up to 24 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with multiple independently-targeted warheads. The SSBN’s strategic weapon is the Trident II D5 missile, which provides increased range and accuracy over the now out-of-service Trident I C4 missile.

SSBNs are specifically designed for extended deterrent patrols. To increase the amount of time required for replenishment and maintenance, Ohio class submarines have three large-diameter logistics hatches that allow sailors to rapidly transfer supply pallets, equipment replacement modules and machinery components thereby increasing their operational availability.

The Ohio class design allows the submarines to operate for 15 or more years between major overhauls. On average, the submarines spend 77 days at sea followed by 35 days in-port for maintenance. Each SSBN has two crews, Blue and Gold, which alternate manning the submarines while on patrol. This maximizes the SSBN’s strategic availability, reduces the number of submarines required to meet strategic requirements and allows for proper crew training, readiness, and morale.

Point Of Contact
Office of Corporate Communication
Naval Sea Systems Command
Office of Corporate Communications (SEA 00D)
Washington, D.C. 20376

General Characteristics, Ohio Class

Builder: General Dynamics Electric Boat Division.

Date Deployed: Nov. 11, 1981 (USS Ohio)

Propulsion: One nuclear reactor, one shaft.

Length: 560 feet (170.69 meters).

Beam: 42 feet (12.8 meters).

Displacement: 16,764 tons (17,033.03 metric tons) surfaced; 18,750 tons (19,000.1 metric tons) submerged.

Speed: 20+ knots (23+ miles per hour, 36.8+ kph).

Crew: 15 Officers, 140 Enlisted.

Armament: 24 tubes for Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missiles, MK48 torpedoes, four torpedo tubes.

Ships: