A cruise missile submarine is a submarine that can launch cruise missiles (SLCMs). The US Navy hull classification symbols for cruise missile submarines are SSG and SSGN - the SS denotes submarine, the G denotes guided missile, and the N denotes nuclear-powered. Early cruise missile submarines had to surface to launch their missiles. Later designs launch missiles from underwater, using either torpedo tubes or vertical canisters.
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U.S. Navy [link]
The U.S. Navy's first nuclear deterrent patrol submarines were five submarines equipped with the Regulus missile: USS Tunny (SSG-282), USS Barbero (SSG-317), USS Grayback (SSG-574), USS Growler (SSG-577) and USS Halibut (SSGN-587). Tunny and Barbero were modified World War II Gato-class submarines, while Grayback, Growler and Halibut were custom-made launch platforms. These ships were redesignated with the removal of the Regulus missile from service in 1964.
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From 2002 to 2008 the U.S. Navy modified the four oldest Ohio-class submarines into SSGNs. The conversion was achieved by installing vertical launching systems (VLS) in a "multiple all-up-round canister" (MAC) configuration in 22 of the 24 missile tubes, replacing one Trident missile with 7 smaller Tomahawk cruise missiles. The 2 remaining tubes were converted to lockout chambers for use by special forces personnel. This gave each converted sub the capability to carry up to 154 Tomahawks. The MAC tubes can also be used to carry and launch UAVs or UUVs. Despite the increase in stand-off strike capabilities, this conversion counts as an arms reduction against the START II treaty[1][2] because it reduces the number of nuclear weapons that are forward-deployed. USS Florida launched cruise missiles against Libyan targets as part of Operation Odyssey Dawn in March 2011.
Russian/Soviet Navy [link]
The Russian/Soviet Navy has operated the following classes of cruise missile submarine (these are NATO reporting names):
- Whiskey class (SSG)
- Juliett class (SSG)
- Echo class (SSGN)
- Papa class (SSGN)
- Charlie class (SSGN)
- Oscar class (SSGN) - these carry the SS-N-19 long range anti-ship missile
Other navies [link]
The Royal Navy deploys Tomahawk missiles for land-attack on all its present fleet submarines (the Trafalgar and Astute classes), although these are multi-roled boats rather than having land attack as a primary role. Formerly, some submarines (e.g. of the Swiftsure class) also carried Sub-Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
The Collins class submarines of the Royal Australian Navy, which can launch Sub-Harpoon anti-ship missiles, use the SSG designation.
See also [link]
- Ballistic missile submarine
- List of NATO reporting names for guided missile submarines
- Missile boat (surface ship)
- Transporter erector launcher (land vehicle)
References [link]
- ^ Congressional Research Service (18 July 2005). "Navy Trident Submarine Conversion (SSGN) Program:Background and Issues for Congress". https://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/trident_conversion.htm. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
- ^ Ronald O'Rourke. "SSGN: A "Second Career" for the Boomer Force". https://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/usw/issue_6/ssgn.html. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
External links [link]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Guided missile submarines |
- US Stingray style sub motherships test missiles. The Register, 31 May 2007
https://wn.com/Cruise_missile_submarine
USS Florida (SSGN-728)
USS Florida (SSBN-728/SSGN-728), an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, is the sixth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the 27th state. She was commissioned with the hull designation of SSBN-728; with her conversion to a cruise missile submarine, she was re-designated SSGN-728.
Construction and commissioning
The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 28 February 1975 and her keel was laid down on the bicentennial of the United States independence, 4 July 1976. The boat was unnamed at the keel-laying ceremony.
The initial ship's crew formed the precommissioning unit on 8 July 1980. The first shipboard watches were stationed on 14 February 1981 to support the operational control transfer of engineering systems to ship's force control. The Secretary of the Navy finally named her on 19 January 1981.
Florida was launched on 14 November 1981 sponsored by Mrs. Marcia M. Carlucci. The reactor was initially taken critical on 13 November 1982; the ship went into service and the crew moved onboard on 21 January 1983. Florida commenced initial builders' sea trials on 21 February 1983 and was subsequently delivered to the Navy on 17 May 1983, 43 days ahead of schedule. She was commissioned on 18 June 1983, with Captain William L. Powell in command of the Blue Crew and Captain George R. Sterner in command of the Gold Crew.
USS Ohio (SSGN-726)
USS Ohio (SSBN-726/SSGN-726), the lead boat of her class of nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarines, was the fourth vessel of the United States Navy to be named for the 17th state. She was commissioned with the hull designation of SSBN-726, and with her conversion to a guided missile submarine she was re-designated SSGN-726.
Construction and commissioning
The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 1 July 1974 and her keel was laid down on 10 April 1976 by Mrs. Robert A. Taft, wife of Senator Taft. On 2 February 1978, the Precommissioning Unit was formed with Commander A. K. Thompson as its Commanding Officer. Ohio was launched on 7 April 1979 sponsored by Mrs. Annie Glenn, wife of Senator John H. Glenn.
Operational History
In the summer of 1981, sea trials were held to test the equipment and systems, and the submarine was delivered to the U.S. Navy on 28 October 1981. On 11 November 1981, Ohio was commissioned. The principal speaker, Vice President George H. W. Bush, remarked to the 8000 assembled guests that the ship introduced a "new dimension in our nation's strategic deterrence," and Admiral Hyman G. Rickover noted that Ohio should "strike fear in the hearts of our enemies." On that day, command of the two crews (designated Blue and Gold) of Ohio was assumed by Captain A. K. Thompson (Blue) and Captain A. F. Campbell (Gold).
