Ohio-class submarines, unofficially known as Boomers, have helped protect the peace for more than 40 years.
The program was cut short as the Cold War came to an end and strategic threats seemingly evaporated.
Designed during the Cold War, few people expected the great thaw that was to come.
The USSFlorida(SSBN-728) underway in 1984. TheOhio-class nuclear-powered commissioned in 1983 and was redesignated SSGN-728 during refueling and conversion in 2003. Image: U.S. Navy
Bush suggested that theOhio-class had introduced a new dimension in our nations strategic deterrence.
It was on October 1, 1983, that SSBN-726 began her first deterrent patrol.
However, the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) limited the number of MIRVS to eight per missile.
The USSOhio(SSBN-726) under construction in Groton, CT. TheOhiowas built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics. Image: U.S. Navy
Each crew has their own captain.
The modified submarines were further equipped with the Raytheon AN-BYG-1 Combat Control System.
Further, it increases the subs effectiveness at tracking and engaging submerged and surface targets.
The USSHenry M. Jackson(SSBN-730) launches a Trident missile on December 4, 1984 during a shakedown cruise. Image: Bob Duff/U.S. Navy
The subs have the capacity to host up to 66 SOF personnel at a time.
SDVs are underwater vehicles that can deliver swimmers and their gear in a clandestine method.
The ASDS was to be a midget submarine with a dry compartment.
Electronics Technician’s Mate 2nd Class Holmes works a navigational problem on board the USSRhode Island(SSBN-740) during a patrol in the western Atlantic. Image: Patrick Nugent/U.S. Navy
The sole prototype was lost in a 2008 fire.
The concept is to remind the enemy that the United States still carries a proverbial big stick.
List of Ohio-Class Submarines
Here is a complete list of Ohio-class submarines in service.
An aerial starboard bow view of the nuclear-powered submarine USSPennsylvania(SSBN-735) underway in 1995. Image: Larry Smith/U.S. Navy
That included footage of the submarine submerging.
However, the legacy of theOhio-class will live on.
They truly were a new dimension in our nations strategic deterrence.
The crew of the USSMichigan(SSBN-727) await the arrival of the guest speakers and the beginning of the boat’s commissioning ceremony on September 11, 1982. Image: U.S. Navy
A starboard bow view of the USSAlabama(SSBN-731) returning to port after completing the 100th Trident ballistic missile submarine patrol. Image: PH1 Mussi/U.S. Navy
The USSAlaska(SSBN-732) underway to the Dabob Bay Range for trials. The Olympic mountain range is in the background. Image: Brian Nokell/U.S. Navy
Off the coast of Florida, a D-5 Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missile heads skyward following its test launch from the USSTennessee(SSBN-734). Image: PH2 E.E. Crawford/U.S. Navy
The Ballast Control Panel is quite complex. This photo was taken aboard the USSPennsylvania. Image: Larry Smith/U.S. Navy
A torpedoman checks the number two torpedo tube on board the USSPennsylvaniain 1995. Image: U.S. Navy
In October 1996, while on patrol in the western Atlantic, the USSRhode Islandspots a U.S. Navy frigate through its periscope. Image: Patrick Nugent/U.S. Navy
Crewmen monitor consoles at their dive stations in the control room of the nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarine USSGeorgia. Image: Chuck Fiel/U.S. Navy
A crewman checks the internal systems of Trident missiles in the missile diagnostic center aboard the submarine USSGeorgia. Image: Chuck Fiel/U.S. Navy
The USSMichiganheads out to sea after departing from Naval Station, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Image: OS2 John Bouvia/U.S. Navy
The AN/BYG-1 Combat Control System is an open-architecture submarine combat system for analyzing and tracking submarine and surface ship contacts. Image: U.S. Navy
Lt. Bryan Tauzer squeezes the trigger, launching a Trident II fleet ballistic missile from the USSNebraska(SSBN-739) during tests off Cape Canaveral, Florida. Image: J02 Kevin Stephens/U.S. Navy
A U.S. Navy diver and special operator from SEAL Delivery Team 2 perform SDV operations with the nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine USSFlorida. Image: Andrew McKaskle/U.S. Navy
A U.S. Navy member of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2 (SDVT-2) climbs aboard one of the team’s SEAL Delivery Vehicles (SDV) Mk VIII from a submarine during training in 2005. Image: PHC Andrew Mckaskle
The USSRhode Islandunderway for builder’s trails off the New England coast. A replica of John Paul Jones’s Continental sloop of warProvidenceprovides an honorary escort. Image: PH1 Roers/U.S. Navy
The U.S. Navy’s nuclear ballistic submarine USSMaine(SSBN-741) conducts surface navigational operations near Puerto Rico. Image: Ph1 Michael J. Rinaldi/U.S. Navy
The USSAlabamapasses Cabrillo National Monument as it heads for the Naval Submarine Base Point Loma, California in September 2000. Image: PH1 Mark A. Correa/U.S. Navy
A sailor aboard a tug tosses a rope to waiting line handlers on the deck of the USSAlabamain 1988. Image: PH1 Chuck Mussi/U.S. Navy
A crewman climbs through a hatch onto the deck of the USSAlabama. The vertical launch tubes can be seen in the deck. Image: PH1 Chuck Mussi/U.S. Navy
The USSHenry M. Jacksonheads into Naval Station, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1989. Image: OS2 Bouvia/U.S. Navy
