The COLUMBIA class will be the largest, most capable and most advanced submarine produced by our nation. Representing a generational recapitalization of the SSBN force, COLUMBIA class will ensure continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s. The COLUMBIA Class SSBN is the nation’s future Sea Based Strategic Deterrent, is the Navy’s number one acquisition priority, and will provide the most survivable leg of the Nation’s strategic triad. It replaces the currently serving OHIO Class SSBNs and must be constructed and delivered on schedule beginning in FY2027 to meet United States Strategic Command requirements. 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. Each SSBN has two crews, Blue and Gold, which alternate manning the submarines and taking them on patrol. On average, the submarines spend 77 days at sea followed by 35 days in-port for maintenance. The Ohio-class design allows the submarines to operate for 15 or more years between major overhauls. To decrease 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. SSBNs are specifically designed for extended deterrent patrols. 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. However, under provisions of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, each submarine has had four of its missile tubes permanently deactivated and now carry a maximum of 20 missiles. The 18-month repair period would target the five Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines, or SSBNs, to support a requirement for the Navy to surge 10 boomers as a strategic nuclear. ![]() They are designed specifically for stealth and the precise delivery of nuclear warheads.Įach of the 14 Ohio-class SSBNs originally carried up to 24 SLBMs with multiple, independently-targeted warheads. Warhead: Nuclear MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles).The Navy's ballistic missile submarines, often referred to as "boomers," serve as an undetectable launch platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). OHIO-class, 20 missiles UK Vanguard-class 16 missiles. Propulsion: Three-stage solid-propellant rocket. Primary Function: Strategic Nuclear Deterrence.Ĭontractor: Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., Inc., Sunnyvale, CA. Starting in 1956 with the Polaris (A1) and evolving through five subsequent generations including Polaris (A2), Polaris (A3), Poseidon (C3) Trident I (C4) and today's force of Trident II (D5), each generation of the missile has increased in range, payload, and accuracy. Strategic Command, the National Command Authority, and the President with assured second-strike capability. As the most survivable leg of the Triad, the SLBM provides the Commander, U.S. The SLBM has been an integral part of our Nation's strategic nuclear deterrent Triad. Columbia-class and UK Dreadnought-class submarines. Ohio-class and UK Vanguard-class submarines and they will be initially carried aboard the U.S. These D5LE missiles will serve throughout the remaining service life of the U.S. Life-extended Trident II D5 missiles (D5LE) were introduced to the Fleet in early 2017. To address aging and obsolescence issues, the Trident II SWS' life was extended. The Trident II SWS, originally designed to have a service life of about 25 years, has proven itself as a highly accurate and reliable system. Following third-stage motor separation, the missile deploys the reentry bodies. When the missile broaches the waterline, it enters the boost phase, expending its first, second, and third-stage rocket motors. The missile is launched by the pressure of expanding gas within the launch tube. The Trident II D5 SLBM is a three-stage, solid-fuel, inertially-guided missile with a range of 4,000 nautical miles capable of carrying multiple W76-Mk4/Mk4A or W88-Mk5 reentry bodies. Under the provisions of the Polaris Sales Agreement, it is also carried aboard the United Kingdom's Vanguard-class submarines. In addition, the Department of Defense has permanently reduced the Ohio- class submarines’ submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) capacity from 24 SLBMs to 20 in compliance with. The Trident II SWS is deployed aboard Ohio-class submarines, each capable of carrying 20 D5 missiles. ![]() The Trident II Strategic Weapon System (SWS) is deployed aboard Ohio-class (Trident) submarines and consists of: the Trident II (D5) Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) Reentry System and supporting Shipboard Systems.
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