Cruise missile submarine

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A cruise missile submarine is a submarine that can launch cruise missiles. SSGN is the United States Navy hull classification symbol for a nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine. The SS denotes "Ship, Submersible" (i.e. submarine), the G denotes "guided missile," and the N denotes "nuclear powered."

[edit] U.S. Navy

The first SSGN in the U.S. Navy was USS Halibut (SSGN-587). She was built to launch the nuclear tipped Regulus Missile in the 1950s. When the Regulus program ended in 1964, she became SSN-587.

The U.S. Navy modified the four oldest Ohio class Trident submarines to SSGN configuration. This was achieved in 2002 to 2008 by the installation of vertical launching systems (VLS) in a configuration dubbed "multiple all-up-round canister (MAC)", which equips 22 of the 24 missile tubes, which previously held one large nuclear-tipped strategic ballistic missile, with 7 smaller Tomahawk cruise missiles. The 2 remaining tubes are converted to lock out chambers (LOC) to be used by special forces personnel who can be carried on board. This gives each converted sub the capability to carry up to 154 Tomahawk missiles. The MAC tubes can also be used to carry and launch UAVs or UUVs which give the ship remote controlled "eyes & ears" allowing the ship to act as a forward-deployed command & control center. If the maximum of 154 Tomahawk missiles were loaded, one Ohio class SSGN would carry an entire Battle Group's equivalent of cruise missiles. Despite the increase in stand-off strike capabilities, this conversion counts as an arms reduction against the START II treaty^[1][2].

Ohio (SSGN-726) completed its conversion and began sea trials in early 2006. Since that time, USS Michigan (SSGN-727), USS Florida (SSGN-728), and the USS Georgia (SSGN-729) have rejoined the fleet in the new configuration. Florida conducted the initial testing required to determine whether the SSGN project was in fact possible. This included the first launching of a Tomahawk missile from the SSBN platform ^[3].

[edit] Russian/Soviet Navy

The Soviet Navy had several submarines that were called SSGNs by Western observers. These were armed with anti-ship missiles such as the SS-N-19 or land attack missiles. They were given the NATO reporting names Golf, Echo, Yankee, Charlie and Oscar.^{[citation needed]}

Today the Russian Navy operates 8-10 Oscar class submarines which carry the SS-N-19 long range anti-ship missile.

[edit] People's Liberation Army Navy

The People's Liberation Army Navy is switching the Type 092 Xia-class roles from SSBNs into SSGNs.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] See also

• SSG
• SSN
• SSBN
• List of NATO reporting names for guided missile submarines

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• US Stingray style sub motherships test missiles. The Register, 31 May 2007

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