U.S. Navy Rejected Key Command's Specs for Next Nuclear-Armed Sub

WASHINGTON -- Adm. Gary Roughead, the U.S. Navy's top officer, last June nixed a key combatant command's recommendation for the missile-carrying capacity of the nation's next-generation, nuclear-armed submarine, according to military sources (see GSN, Dec. 21, 2010).

Whether his determination on the so-called "SSBN(X)" submarine -- which is to begin replacing today's ballistic-missile-carrying vessels in about two decades -- will ultimately carry the day is unclear.

The service in September told the Congressional Research Service that "as part of its effort to reduce" procurement costs, "the Navy is focusing on an SSBN(X) design with 16 [missile] tubes, rather than 20," according to a CRS report published last fall.

What has not surfaced publicly, until now, is that U.S. Strategic Command -- the military organization responsible for determining the nation's nuclear combat requirements -- had advocated that each of the future submarines be armed with the higher loading level of 20 ballistic missiles.

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Electric Boat gets go-ahead on new ballistic missile sub

The Navy announced Thursday that the initial plans for the Navy’s next generation of ballistic-missile submarines were endorsed by the Defense Acquisition Board and achieved what is known as “Milestone A,” meaning the program can enter the technology development phase.

Achieving Milestone A not only allows the development of technology to proceed but also formally recognizes the planning for the ballistic-missile submarine as an official Department of Defense program.

EB has been working on the design of the submarine, which will replace the current fleet of Ohio-class, or Trident, boats.

“I’m delighted by this announcement, which is critical to the success of Electric Boat and our employees,” EB President John P. Casey said. “We have been supporting the Navy for a long time, and it’s very rewarding to see the Ohio replacement recognized as an official Department of Defense program, which is critical to our national security.”

EB plans to hire between 300 and 400 more engineers for its growing New London design and engineering campus, many of whom will work on the ballistic-missile submarine.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, called the Navy’s announcement “an important and tangible milestone for the Navy, our submarine program, Electric Boat and our region’s economic future.”

“Our talented work force has a proven track record of completing submarines ahead of schedule and under budget,” Courtney said. “As the Ohio-replacement program moves into this next critical phase, I am confident that the men and women of Electric Boat will apply those important skills toward providing our nation with an affordable and superior new submarine.”

The design and production of the ballistic-missile submarine will stretch into the second half of the 21st century. The Navy plans to buy 12 to replace the 14 current Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines that will reach the end of their service lives, with the lead ship purchased in 2019.

The Defense Department’s goal for the cost of each submarine, two through 12, is $4.95 billion each in 2010 dollars, according to the Navy. The lead ship is more expensive because design costs are factored in.

“The Navy is committed to ensuring that an affordable replacement ballistic-missile submarine is designed, built and delivered on time, with the right capabilities to sustain the most survivable leg of our triad for many decades to come,” Program Executive Officer for Submarines Rear Adm. David C. Johnson said in a statement.

The program will next have to achieve Milestone B to enter the engineering and manufacturing development phase and then Milestone C to enter the production and deployment phase.

Navy Bids Farewell To Trailblazing USS Los Angeles

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Feb. 4 marked the end of an era for the "Silent Service" as USS Los Angeles (SSN 688), the first of the world's largest class of nuclear-powered submarines, underwent her final decommissioning at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.

Cmdr. Steven Harrison, Los Angeles' last commanding officer, was joined by Capt. Mark Whitney, commander of PSNS and IMF; and Capt. Dan Prince, chief of staff for Submarine Group 9; as the submarine's commissioning pennant was hauled down and the watch secured for the last time, ending Los Angeles' 34 years of service.

"Thirty-four years ago, a crew similar to this one ran aboard Los Angeles, bringing life to this steel body," said Lt. Cmdr. Darrel Lewis, Los Angeles' executive officer and master of ceremonies for the event. "Today, we reluctantly bid her farewell."

Launched in 1974 and commissioned Nov. 13, 1976, Los Angeles was the first of a new class of fast-attack submarines, intended as an eventual replacement for the Navy's Skipjack-, Permit- and Sturgeon-class SSNs. A total of 62 Los Angeles-class submarines were constructed between 1972 and 1996, making the class the largest nuclear-powered submarine class in the world.

In his final remarks as Los Angeles' commander, Harrison recalled the frontline role played by Los Angeles and other submarines of her class during the Cold War.

"The ship served proudly, as well as all the other remaining ships of the class, and contributed to victory in the (Cold) War in ways the general public will never know about," said Harrison.

The fourth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name – the others were a World War I tanker (ID 1470), an airship (ZR 3) and a Cold War-era heavy cruiser (CA 135) – Los Angeles received many honors during her three decades of service, including seven Battle Efficiency Awards, seven Meritorious Unit Commendations and one Navy Unit Commendation. She made 16 deployments, participating in four Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multinational exercises.

Los Angeles also made history in May 1977 when President Jimmy Carter, the only U.S. president to qualify in submarines, and his wife Rosalynn joined Adm. Hyman Rickover for an at-sea demonstration of the submarine's capabilities.

Los Angeles' farewell process began Jan. 23, when the ship's public decommissioning ceremony took place at the Port of Los Angeles. Placed "in commission, in reserve," Los Angeles transited north to PSNS and IMF to begin the inactivation process.

In taking custody of Los Angeles, Whitney promised that Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility would honor the submarine's history.

"The inactivation and retiring of ships is an important element of our business," said Whitney. "But one of the important elements we don't actually talk about an awful lot when we are executing the work is one of the things we hold very sacred – that is, we will respect the honor and we will preserve the legacy of your ship."

"We are proud to be the final crew of the USS Los Angeles," said Harrison.

The Los Angeles class was followed by the Seawolf- and Virginia-class submarines. 

New US subs to be armed with Trident missiles

US Navy is about to arm prospective nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines SSBN(X) with Trident II D5 ballistic missiles, reports Defense Aerospace. New submarines SSBN(X) which are to change Ohio class subs will have 16 ballistic missile tubes. To compare, Ohio class submarines are equipped with 24 tubes. 

SSBN(X) development program was kicked off in 2010. Missile tubes are designed by Electric Boat which won the $592-mln contract in Dec 2008. Tubes must be capable to launch perspective ballistic missiles as well. 

According to plans of American military, development stage of technical design of the new sub would start in 2014, and the lead sub would be laid down in 2019. Supposedly, the works on SSBN(X) will be fully completed in 2026, and first sub of the project will be commissioned into US Navy in 2029. 

As is expected, first of Ohio class submarines would be written off in 2017. Afterwards, US Navy plans to decommission one submarine of this class each year within a 13-year period. 

Technical characteristics of the perspective American sub are unknown so far. Presumably, apart from ballistic missiles the submarine would be armed with Tomahawk long-range multipurpose cruise missiles. It was previously reported that draft defense budgets 2011 and 2012 did not provide financing of SSBN(X) project.