Ohio-class nuclear-powered submarine of the United States Navy, which began as a nuclear ballistic submarine and was converted to a cruise missile carrier. It usually accompanies aircraft carriers to protect them from enemy submarines, is also used for espionage and reconnaissance missions, and serves as an advanced command platform for naval combat units.
Known as SSGN 729, also known as Trident, she is the fourth Ohio-class submarine (of 18) and the third to bear the name of the state of Georgia. Her official homeport is at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia.
The United States of America built 18 submarines, 14 of which were converted into ballistic missile submarines, and 4 of which were converted into guided missile submarines.
Manufacturing
General Dynamics began work on the USS Georgia in 1979, launched it in 1982, and its launch was led by Rosalynn Carter, the wife of then-US President Jimmy Carter, as both are from Georgia.
The submarine entered service in 1984 and arrived at the port of Bangor, Washington. It was initially designed to carry Trident ballistic missiles as part of the US Navy's strategic nuclear deterrent force, before becoming a cruise missile carrier, starting in 2004.
Stations
The submarine launched its first ballistic missiles (Ohio class) in September 1985 during operational tests, and has conducted about 65 tours in the Pacific Ocean through 2024.
The submarine was awarded the “Second Meritorious Unit Medal” for its operations between February and August 1986. In 2001 it was awarded the “Commander of Submarine Squadron 17 Combat Efficiency Award”.
The submarine was planned to be retired after the end of the Cold War in 2002, along with other former submarines owned by the United States, but it was decided to undergo development and modification.
After the submarine completed the Silent Hammer exercises in 2004, improvements and modifications were made to improve its maneuverability and stealth capabilities.
A year later, modifications were made to it, making it a “SSGN” class ship, capable of carrying 154 guided cruise missiles, and powered by nuclear energy.
In the 2007 modifications, it now includes vertical launch systems with 24 missile tubes, and can travel a distance of 1,200 kilometers per day. The cost of these developments was estimated at about $400.
The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) said on August 13, 2024, that it would send the submarine “USS Georgia” to the so-called Central Region, in deterrence of any possible Iranian attack or response to Israel, which assassinated the head of the political bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, 2024.
Specifications
The American submarine differs from the Soviet submarine “Typhoon” and the Russian submarine “Borey” in that it carries a greater number of missiles.
The USS is designed to focus on long-range operations, and is equipped with two crews called the “Blue” crew and the “Gold” crew, each of which runs continuous deterrence patrols lasting up to 70 days and up to 90.
To ensure that it is supplied with the required supplies in record time, reducing the time it spends in the port, it is equipped with 3 large exits that allow the entry and exit of equipment and supplies and the work on maintenance very quickly.
Its other specifications include:
- The surface displacement of the submarine is about 17 thousand tons, and the underwater displacement is about 19 thousand tons.
- Its length is 170 meters, its width is 13 meters, and the part submerged in water (from the surface of the water to the deepest point) is about 10 meters.
- Its speed is 22 km/h on the surface of the water, and 37 km/h underwater.
- The submarine can operate for an unlimited period of time, and with the available food supplies it can operate for up to 60 days.
- It employs 15 officers and 140 soldiers.
- Its nuclear reactor is a pressurized water reactor of the S8G type.
- The submarine has two geared turbines, producing about 45 megawatts of power, and driving a 7-blade propeller.
- It has an auxiliary diesel engine that produces about 242 kilowatts.
- Designed to operate for 15 years without the need for major maintenance and repairs.
Features and capabilities
The submarine has the following features and capabilities:
- It can carry out a missile attack without being detected.
- Its nuclear engine helps it sail for an unlimited range.
- It is distinguished from other submarines by its high speed and ability to dive to deeper distances.
- It can carry 154 Tomahawk missiles, in addition to heavy torpedoes with which it attacks submarines and ships.
- It has a high ability to infiltrate, attack, change course and hide quickly and smoothly.
- Able to travel 1200 km per day.
- It has advanced sonar sensors that collect data during diving, helping it to hide and detect objects underwater.
- It has a sonar system to detect sounds and vibrations from long distances.
- It has a navigation system.
Weapons and gear
The SSU Georgia Type 4 Ohio submarine was armed with:
- 4 torpedo tubes, 533 mm in diameter, loaded with MK 48 bombs.
- 24 ballistic missile launch tubes, each loaded with 7 UMG-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles.