SSBN 726 Ohio

The SSBN 726 Ohio class submarines have been designed to provide exclusively nuclear deterrence. They are equipped with long-range strategic ballistic missiles armed with several nuclear warheads and are powered by a nuclear reactor. Ohio-class submarines replaced aging ballistic submarines built in the 1960s. The 18 Ohio submarines provide the sea-based leg of the triad of US strategic offensive forces. The 24 Trident ballistic missiles carried by these submarines can be targeted to different targets worldwide using secure and constant at sea communications links. The first eight Ohio submarines were equipped with C-4 Trident I missiles, while last ten submarines were equipped with the more accurate and capable D-5 Trident II. The US Navy is retrofitting the Trident II in the last 4 submarines originally equipped with Trident I missiles. The Ohio submarines were designed for extended deterrent patrols with reduced time required for replenishment and maintenance. About 50% of Ohio submarines are continuously in deterrent patrols. The US Navy has no plans to replace them and recent reviews call for an estimated service life of Ohio submarines of about 42 years over 30 years initially planned. The number of missiles was slashed to 22 to comply with START III. The Columbia class was picked as the replacement for the Ohio class and is expected to arrive by 2031.

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