OHIO Class SSBN
On 21 June, at approximately 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, a nuclear-powered U.S. Navy submarine launched over two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles into Iran, targeting specific infrastructure facilities in Isfahan.
Immediately after the Tomahawk strikes, fighter jets and B-2 bombers followed, delivering 14 bunker-buster bombs that destroyed Iranian nuclear sites.
While the B-2 bombers and their bunker-buster payloads have understandably captured most of the public’s attention in discussions of Operation Midnight Hammer, it’s important to remember that the Ohio-class submarine played an equally pivotal role. By firing the opening salvo, it not only delivered a powerful first strike but also set the stage for the devastating air assault that followed.
Ohio Class Specification
Here is a specification table for the Ohio-class submarine, covering both ballistic missile (SSBN) and guided missile (SSGN) variants:
| Specification | Ohio-Class SSBN | Ohio-Class SSGN |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN) | Guided Missile Submarine (SSGN) |
| Length | 560 ft (170.7 m) | 560 ft (170.7 m) |
| Beam (Width) | 42 ft (12.8 m) | 42 ft (12.8 m) |
| Draft | 35 ft (10.7 m) | 35 ft (10.7 m) |
| Displacement (Submerged) | ~18,750 tons | ~18,750 tons |
| Propulsion | Nuclear-powered (S8G PWR reactor, 2 turbines) | Same |
| Speed | 25+ knots (46+ km/h; classified exact speed) | Same |
| Operating Depth | >800 ft (244+ m; estimated) | Same |
| Crew | ~155 (15 officers, 140 enlisted) | ~155 (varies with mission) |
| Armament | 24 × Trident II D5 SLBMs | 154 × Tomahawk cruise missiles (22 tubes) |
| Special Operations | No | Yes (up to 66 SEALs, lockout chambers, DDS) |
| Commissioned | 1981–1997 (18 built) | 4 converted from SSBNs (Ohio, Florida, Georgia, Michigan) |
| Primary Role | Nuclear deterrence | Land attack, special operations support |
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan confirmed to lawmakers that an Ohio-class guided-missile submarine fired the missiles. It performed exceptionally and caused significant damage to Iran’s nuclear capacity.
The Ohio-class submarine acted with stealth and surprise. The Ohio class was supposed to be one of the Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines. It was planned to carry and launch ballistic missiles armed with numerous nuclear warheads and was powered by a nuclear reactor as well.
Conclusion
In terms of capabilities, the Ohio Class, which is 560 feet long, can dive to nearly 800 feet underwater and, more importantly, maneuver at speeds greater than 25 knots. It can carry up to 15 officers and around 144 enlisted people.
Four Ohio-class submarines were converted into guided-missile submarines, allowing them to launch conventional land attacks and support Special Forces missions. These submarines were the Ohio, Florida, Georgia, and Michigan. A guided missile submarine carried out the strikes against Iran.
References
- U.S. Navy – Ohio-Class Submarines
- CNN – U.S. Strikes Iran Nuclear Sites
- Reuters—U.S. Launches Coordinated Attack on Iran
- Defense.gov – Secretary of Navy Confirms Submarine Role
- The War Zone—Ohio-Class Submarines in Combat
About the Author
