Each SSBN carried 16 Polaris nuclear missiles. Conversion to more accurate Poseidon missiles, starting in 1969, required only modification of the existing SSBNs. And even more advanced Trident I missiles, from 1979 onward, could be accommodated on the last 12 of the original 41 SSBNs. The first of the much larger Ohio-class boats, which entered service in 1981, was designed specifically for the new and much larger Trident II missiles. Until Trident II became available in 1990, however, the new submarines were equipped with Trident I. Well over twice the displacement of their predecessors, each of the 18 Ohio-class SSBNs carried 24 missiles. View a cutaway of an Ohio-class boomer submarine. USS George Washington
(SSBN-598) Polaris Ballistic Missile Submarine When completed, George Washington measured 382 feet (162 m) long and 33 feet (10 m) abeam, displacing 6,709 tons submerged. Her surface speed was 16 knots (30 km/hr), substantially slower than her submerged speed of 22 knots (41 km/hr). Commissioned at the end of 1959, George Washington went to sea on her first patrol in November 1960 with a crew of 112 and 16 Polaris A-1 ballistic missiles. Refitted with improved missiles, the Washington-class boats continued their patrols until the early 1980s. USS Ohio (SSBN-726)
Trident Ballistic Missile Submarine The Ohio class was designed specifically to carry Trident II missiles, which are much larger than Poseidon or Trident I missiles. They also operate very quietly, powered by the S8G (Submarine, Model 8, General Electric) reactor plant. |
Above, USS Robert E. Lee (SSBN-601), a George Washington-class boat commissioned in 1960, steams slowly past the Newport News docks. Courtesy Newport News Shipbuilding USS John Marshall (SSBN-611), one of five Ethan Allan-class boats designed from the start for ballistic missiles, underwent sea trials in 1962. Courtesy Newport News Shipbuilding Benjamin Franklin-class USS George Washington Carver (SSBN-656), launched in 1965, belonged to the 12-boat Benjamin Franklin-class, notable for their extremely quiet operation. Courtesy Newport News Shipbuilding "41 for Freedom"
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