Submarine
Ohio-class submarine
The Ohio class is a US Navy nuclear-powered ballistic missile (SSBN) and guided-missile (SSGN) submarine built by General Dynamics Electric Boat, in service since 1981. Eighteen boats were built, and 14 remain as SSBNs carrying Trident II D5 missiles.
United States|General Dynamics Electric BoatWhat Is the Ohio-class submarine? Overview, History and Development
Eighteen boats were built from 1976 to 1997, led by USS Ohio (SSBN-726), launched in 1979 and commissioned in November 1981, and ending with USS Louisiana in 1997. A boat displaces about 16,764 t surfaced and 18,750 t submerged, is 170.7 m long and reaches about 25 knots, with a crew of about 155. A single S8G reactor of about 60,000 shp provides power with a long refuelling cycle.
Armament is 24 tubes, with four deactivated under New START leaving 20 active, for Trident II D5 missiles with a range of about 12,000 km. Four early boats (Ohio, Michigan, Florida, Georgia) were converted in 2002–2008 into SSGNs carrying up to 154 Tomahawk missiles, and USS Florida fired Tomahawks in Libya in 2011. Service life was extended from 30 to 42 years, with the Columbia class replacing it from about 2030. Cost was about US$2 billion each. Rivals include Borei, Type 094 and Vanguard.
Ohio-class submarine Specifications: Displacement, Speed, Armament and Crew
Ohio-class submarine Variants and Versions Compared
Ohio SSBN is the ballistic missile version, with 14 boats carrying Trident II D5 missiles.
Ohio SSGN is the guided-missile conversion of four early boats, carrying up to 154 Tomahawk missiles.
Ohio Replacement (Columbia class) is the planned successor that replaces the class from about 2030.
Which Countries Use the Ohio-class submarine? Operators and Users
United StatesOhio-class submarine FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How many Ohio-class submarines are there?
There are 18 Ohio-class submarines built, of which 14 serve as SSBNs and four were converted to SSGNs. The four converted boats are Ohio, Michigan, Florida and Georgia.
How many missiles does an Ohio-class submarine carry?
An Ohio-class SSBN carries 20 active Trident II D5 missiles, as four of its 24 tubes are deactivated under New START. An SSGN version carries up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
How many warheads does an Ohio-class submarine carry?
An Ohio-class submarine with 20 missiles carries up to about 90 warheads under New START counting rules. That figure is hedged, and each Trident II D5 can carry up to eight warheads by design.
How much does an Ohio-class submarine cost?
An Ohio-class submarine cost about US$2 billion each, though the figure is dated and hedged. Later estimates for the Columbia-class replacement are far higher.
Ohio-class vs Borei-class: which is better?
The Ohio class is larger at about 18,750 t submerged, carries 20 active missiles with a range of about 12,000 km, and has a long record. The Borei carries 16 Bulava missiles.
What will replace the Ohio-class submarine?
The Columbia-class SSBN will replace the Ohio class from about 2030, with the Ohio class retiring through the 2030s. The Ohio’s planned service life was extended from 30 to 42 years.