Why these 4 Ohio-Class Ballistic Submarines Became Cruise Missile ‘Carriers’

The guided-missile submarine USS Georgia, right, transits the Strait of Hormuz with the guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal, the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea, not pictured, and an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 48. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Indra Beaufort) 

Peter Suciu, Natinal Interest: How 4 Ohio-Class Ballistic Submarines Became Cruise Missile ‘Carriers’ 

This submarine is one of the most powerful to ever go under the waves. 

The “Buckeye State” may be nearly 500 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, but ask any U.S. Navy submariner about the Ohio-class submarines and they'll tell you it is a platform that should strike fear into America's enemies. The submarine class that serves the Navy was developed as a virtually undetectable undersea launch platform to launch intercontinental missiles. 

As the largest subs ever constructed for the U.S. Navy, and the third-largest submarines ever built, the boats were designed to carry the concurrently developed Trident submarine-launched ballistic missiles. A total of eighteen of the Ohio-class submarines were constructed by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics between 1981 and 1997. 

According to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START II), which was agreed in June 1992, the number of U.S. Navy strategic missile submarines was limited to fourteen beginning in 2002. Rather than simply phasing out or decommissioning four of the boats, the U.S. Navy opted to convert them to conventionally armed nuclear-powered cruise missile-submarines (SSGNs). 

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WNU Editor: One of these subs is currently in the Persian Gulf .... US Navy sails nuclear sub in Persian Gulf amid Iran tensions (NYPost).

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