Ohio-class submarine
The sea leg of the United States' nuclear-deterrent triad is based aboard the Ohio-class submarine. The Ohio class of nuclear-powered submarines includes the United States Navy's 14 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and its four cruise missile submarines (SSGNs).
The 14 SSBNs together carry about half of U.S. active strategic thermonuclear warheads. As part of the New START treaty, four tubes on each SSBN will be deactivated, leaving each ship with only 20 available for war loads.
The Ohio class is to be replaced by the Columbia class beginning in 2031.
General Characteristics
| Builders: | General Dynamics Electric Boat Division. |
|---|---|
| Power Plant: | One S8G nuclear reactor core reloaded every nine years two geared steam turbines, one shaft, output of 60,000 hp |
| Length: | 560 feet (170.69 meters) |
| Beam: | 42 feet (10.06 meters) |
| Displacement: | Surfaced: 16,764 tons Submerged:18,750 tons |
| Speed: | Official: 20+ knots (23+ miles per hour, 36.8 +kph) Actual: 25 knots submerged speed |
| Operating Depth: | Official: "greater than 800 feet" Actual: greater than 1,000 feet |
| Armament: | 24 - tubes for Trident I and II, 4 - torpedo tubes with Mk48 Torpedoes |
| Sensors: | BQQ-6 Bow mounted sonar; BQR-19 Navigation; BQS-13 Active sonar; TB-16 towed array |
| Crew: | 15 Officers, 140 Enlisted |
| Unit Operating Cost Annual Average |
$50,00,000 |
| Date Deployed: | November 11, 1981 (USS Ohio) |