OVERVIEW: The SSGN 726 Ohio is a nuclear-powered guided missile submarine (SSGN) of the United States Navy, converted from an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN).

DETAILS:
The conversion of the Ohio-class SSBNs to the SSGN configuration represented a significant shift in the U.S. Navy's strategic and tactical posture at the beginning of the 21st century. Driven by the desire to maintain a potent undersea force while simultaneously adhering to arms control treaties that limited the number of deployed nuclear warheads, the Navy opted to refit the first four Ohio-class boats to carry conventional land-attack cruise missiles. This transformation provided a substantial increase in conventional strike capability, offering a highly mobile and survivable platform for delivering precision strikes against land-based targets. The modification involved replacing the Trident II D5 ballistic missile tubes with Vertical Launch System (VLS) modules capable of accommodating seven Tomahawk cruise missiles per tube. The design philosophy emphasized a balance between stealth, endurance, and overwhelming firepower, transforming a platform previously dedicated to strategic deterrence into a versatile asset for conventional warfare.

The primary role of the SSGN 726 Ohio is to provide persistent, clandestine forward presence and deliver precision strike capabilities against time-critical and high-value targets ashore. While retaining a limited self-defense capability against surface and subsurface threats, its primary mission is not Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) or Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) in a traditional sense. However, its advanced sensor suite allows for situational awareness and threat avoidance. The large payload of Tomahawk cruise missiles allows for sustained engagement in support of land campaigns, special operations, or independent strike missions. The Ohio also supports special operations forces (SOF), with accommodations for berthing and deploying SEAL teams via the Dry Deck Shelter (DDS) system or Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS), enhancing its versatility in littoral environments.

The SSGN 726 Ohio's operational effectiveness is significantly enhanced by its sophisticated sensor suite. The AN/BQQ-10 sonar suite provides advanced detection, tracking, and classification capabilities for both active and passive sonar modes. Supplementing this, the AN/BQR-19 and AN/BLQ-10(V)4 systems likely contribute to long-range surveillance and threat assessment. The AN/BPS-15A radar provides surface search and navigation capabilities, while the AN/WLR-8(V)5 electronic support measures (ESM) system detects, analyzes, and identifies radar emissions from potential threats. The AN/WLY-1 acoustic intercept system further enhances its ability to passively detect and classify underwater threats. The AN/TB-29A towed array enhances the submarine's ability to detect submarines and surface ships at long range, especially in noisy environments. Targeting data is refined with information obtained through the Type 18 Periscope, providing visual confirmation and contributing to precise weapons guidance.

SPECIFICATION: Length: 170.0 m || Beam: 13.0 m || Draft: 10.8 m || Disp: 16765 t

SENSORS: AN/TB-29A || AN/WLY-1 || AN/BPS-15A || AN/WLR-8(V)5 || AN/BQR-19 || AN/BLQ-10(V)4 || AN/BQQ-10 || Type 18 Periscope

ARMAMENT: Tomahawk VLS [14 x 7 Cells] || 533mm Mk68 TT || 3-inch Signal Ejector || CSA Mk3 Mod 0