Editing Ohio-class submarine (section)

=== SSBN/SSGN conversions ===
[[File:SSGN726 Ohio.svg|thumb|left|Ohio-class SSGN profile]]
[[File:OHIOSSGNCONVERSION.JPG|thumb|right|USS ''Ohio'' being converted from an SSBN to an SSGN in March 2004|alt=Black submarine with orange paint from cheatline down in drydock at nightfall]]

In 1994, the [[Nuclear Posture Review]] study determined that, of the 18 ''Ohio'' SSBNs the U.S. Navy would be operating in total, 14 would be sufficient for the strategic needs of the U.S. The decision was made to convert four ''Ohio''-class boats into SSGNs capable of conducting conventional [[Military strike|land attack]] and [[Special forces|special operations]]. As a result, the four oldest boats of the class—''Ohio'', ''Michigan'', ''Florida'', and ''Georgia''—progressively entered the conversion process in late 2002 and were returned to active service by 2008.<ref name=USNF>{{Cite web|title=Guided Missile Submarines&nbsp;– SSGN|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4100&tid=300&ct=4|publisher=Navy.mil|work=U.S. Navy|date=10 November 2011|access-date=27 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108080936/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4100&tid=300&ct=4|archive-date=8 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The boats could thereafter carry 154 [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk cruise missile]]s and 66 special operations personnel, among other capabilities and upgrades.<ref name=USNF/> The cost to refit the four boats was around US$1&nbsp;billion (2008 dollars) per vessel.<ref name=Nuclear_lives>{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RS21007.pdf |title=Navy Trident Submarine Conversion (SSGN) Program: Background and Issues for Congress |last=O'Rourke |first=Ronald |date=22 May 2008 |work=[[Congressional Research Service]] |via=Fas.org|access-date=7 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106064952/http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RS21007.pdf |archive-date=6 November 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> During the conversion of these four submarines to SSGNs (see below), five of the remaining submarines, {{USS|Pennsylvania|SSBN-735|2}}, {{USS|Kentucky|SSBN-737|2}}, {{USS|Nebraska|SSBN-739|2}}, {{USS|Maine|SSBN-741|2}}, and {{USS|Louisiana|SSBN-743|2}}, were transferred from Kings Bay to Bangor.{{cn|date=April 2023}} 

[[File:Ohio-class submarine launches Tomahawk Cruise missiles (artist concept).jpg|thumb|left|Artist's concept of an ''Ohio''-class SSGN launching [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles]]]]
The conversion modified 22 of the 24 {{convert|88|in|m|adj=on}} diameter Trident missile tubes to contain large [[vertical launching system|vertical launch systems]], one configuration of which may be a cluster of seven [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk cruise missiles]]. In this configuration, the number of cruise missiles carried could be a maximum of 154, the equivalent of what is typically deployed in a surface battle group. Other payload possibilities include new generations of [[supersonic]] and [[hypersonic]] cruise missiles, and Submarine Launched Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles,{{cn|date=July 2024}} [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s, the [[ADM-160 MALD]], sensors for antisubmarine warfare or intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, counter mine warfare payloads such as the [[Long-Term Mine Reconnaissance System|AN/BLQ-11 Long Term Mine Reconnaissance System]], and the [[broaching universal buoyant launcher]] and [[stealthy affordable capsule system]] specialized payload canisters.{{cn|date=April 2023}}

[[File:US Navy 100308-N-9588L-023 Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Joan Valles, left, mans the helm of the Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728).jpg|thumb|right|The helm of the ''Ohio''-class guided-missile submarine, USS ''Florida'' (SSGN-728), in March 2010]]
The missile tubes also have room for stowage canisters that can extend the forward deployment time for special forces. The other two Trident tubes are converted to swimmer lockout chambers. For special operations, the [[Dry Combat Submersible]] (which replaced the [[Advanced SEAL Delivery System]]), as well as the [[dry deck shelter]], can be mounted on the lockout chamber and the boat will be able to host up to 66 special-operations sailors or Marines, such as [[Navy SEAL]]s, or [[United States Marine Corps|USMC]] [[MARSOC]] teams. Improved communications equipment installed during the upgrade allows the SSGNs to serve as a forward-deployed, clandestine Small Combatant Joint Command Center.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gdeb.com/news/ebnews/ebnews0206.pdf|type=Newsletter |title=USS Ohio Returns To Service As Navy's First SSGN |work=Electric Boat News |publisher=[[General Dynamics Electric Boat]] |date=February 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731060602/http://www.gdeb.com/news/ebnews/ebnews0206.pdf |archive-date=2009-07-31}}</ref>

On 26 September 2002, the Navy awarded [[General Dynamics Electric Boat]] a US$442.9 million contract to begin the first phase of the SSGN submarine conversion program. Those funds covered only the initial phase of conversion for the first two boats on the schedule. Advance procurement was funded at $355 million in [[fiscal year]] 2002, $825 million in the FY 2003 budget and, through the five-year defense budget plan, at $936 million in FY 2004, $505 million in FY 2005, and $170 million in FY 2006. Thus, the total cost to refit the four boats is just under $700 million per vessel.{{cn|date=April 2023}}

In November 2002, ''Ohio'' entered a [[drydock|dry-dock]], beginning her 36-month [[Refueling and Overhaul|refueling and missile-conversion overhaul]]. Electric Boat announced on 9 January 2006 that the conversion had been completed. The converted ''Ohio'' rejoined the fleet in February 2006, followed by ''Florida'' in April 2006. The converted ''Michigan'' was delivered in November 2006. The converted ''Ohio'' went to sea for the first time in October 2007. ''Georgia'' returned to the fleet in March 2008 at [[Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay|Kings Bay]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://atlanta.navyleague.us/ |title=Navy Marks USS Georgia's Return To Service |publisher=CBS 4 News Jacksonville |access-date=2008-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305110754/http://atlanta.navyleague.us/ |archive-date=5 March 2009}}</ref>{{Failed verification |date=September 2011}} These four SSGNs are expected to remain in service until about 2023–2026. At that point, their capabilities will be replaced with Virginia Payload Module-equipped {{sclass|Virginia|submarine}}.<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Rourke|first=Ronald|url=https://opencrs.com/document/RL32418/2012-03-01/?26752|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121217165724/https://opencrs.com/document/RL32418/2012-03-01/?26752|archive-date=17 December 2012|title=CRS-RL32418 Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress|agency=Congressional Research Service|publisher=[[Open CRS]]|date=1 March 2012|access-date=2012-11-21}}</ref>

In 2011, ''Ohio''-class submarines carried out 28 deterrent patrols. Each patrol lasts around 70 days. Four boats are on station ("hard alert") in designated patrol areas at any given time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/programs/ssp/nukes/publications1/TrimmingNuclearExcess.pdf|title=Trimming Nuclear Excess: Options for Further Reductions of U.S. and Russian Nuclear Forces Special Report No 5 |date=December 2012 |first=Hans M. |last=Kristensen |website=[[Federation of American Scientists]] |access-date=25 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918170156/http://fas.org/programs/ssp/nukes/publications1/TrimmingNuclearExcess.pdf |archive-date=18 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> From January to June 2014, ''Pennsylvania'' carried out a 140-day-long patrol, the longest to date.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/06/30/uss-pennsylvania-sets-patrol-record.html |title=USS Pennsylvania Sets Patrol Record |website=[[Military.com]] |date=30 June 2014 |first=Ahron |last=Arendes |access-date=1 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208061215/http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/06/30/uss-pennsylvania-sets-patrol-record.html |archive-date=8 December 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>