The US Navy’s Ohio-class Missile Submarines And The Special Operations Forces Component
The retirement of the Ohio-class missile submarines will be a tough proposition, since it will leave the US Navy critically short of Tomahawk missile capability and cut the means to deliver Special Operations Forces (SOF) combat divers to project power.
Retiring the Ohio-class submarines is risky because of significant delays and cost overruns in the Columbia-class replacement program, which threatens a critical undersea capability gap. As the cornerstones of the US nuclear triad, extending these aging vessels is vital to counter Russia and China.
The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) sails alongside a submarine support vessel during a routine armed air escort (AAE) exercise, April 24, 2025. AAEs are designed to improve interoperability between our services, increasing lethalitythrough multi-domain integration.. Commander, Submarine Group (SUBGRU) 9, exercises administrative control authority for assigned submarine commands and units in the Pacific Northwest providing oversight for shipboard training, personnel, supply and material readiness of submarines and their crews. SUBGRU-9 is also responsible for nuclear submarines undergoing conversion or overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan Riley)
The US Navy plans to retire all four Ohio-class SSGNs by 2027, a decision that will create a crisis due to a shortage of VLS (Vertical Launch System) systems. With the additional retirement of the Ticonderoga-class cruisers by 2030, there will be a net loss of 2,000 VLS cells for Tomahawks and other missiles.
The Ohio-class Submarines Are Vital To The US Nuclear Triad:
The Ohio-class boats, serving as ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), are a crucial component of the US nuclear triad. They provide a highly survivable and undetectable platform for launching nuclear missiles, ensuring a retaliatory strike capability known as “assured second strike”.
The Ohio-class boats are near the end of their extended service lives, and replacing them is deemed necessary to maintain this nuclear deterrence capability.
Their retirement by 2027 would leave a gap that the new Block V Virginia-class submarines cannot immediately fill.
However, while the US has embarked on a significant modernization effort for its nuclear forces, including the Columbia-class submarine program to replace the Ohio-class, considerable problems remain.
The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728) departs Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. Florida will perform routine operations while at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Kimber/Released)
The Ohio-Class And The Deployment Of SOF
Four of the 18 Ohio-class submarines were converted from Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs) to Guided Missile Submarines (SSGNs) to carry and deploy Special Operations Forces (SOF), such as the Navy SEALs or Army Green Berets, into a semi-permissive area.
These converted boats—Ohio, Michigan, Florida, and Georgia—can accommodate up to 66 SOF personnel and include specialized equipment for covert insertions.
Some missile tubes can also accommodate additional stowage canisters for SOF equipment, food, and other consumables, thereby extending the submarines’ ability to remain forward-deployed in support of combatant commanders’ tasking.
The two forward-most missile tubes were permanently converted to lock-out chambers, which allow clandestine insertion and retrieval of SOF personnel.
Each lock-out chamber can also accommodate a Dry Deck Shelter (DDS), (or Advanced SEAL Delivery Systems) on these tubes, allowing for the launch of underwater vehicles or teams while submerged.
These vessels were converted between 2002 and 2008 to support both conventional land attack and special operations roles
The End Of The Cold War Played Into The Current Issue
When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 handset in motion the end of the Cold War, the Nuclear Posture Review in 1994 determined that the United States Navy’s previous plan was redundant. Rather than 18 Guided Missile Submarines, or SSGNs, the Navy needed only 14 to meet strategic needs.
The Navy decided to take those four Ohio-class missile boats, refit them as conventional land-attack submarines, and equip them with 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles. These submarines also launch Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Ticonderoga-class ships carry 122 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Tomahawk Missile Firing. Image Credit: Government of Australia.
“That gives a total of 1,464 VLS cells for the cruisers and 616 VLS cells for the SSGNs for a combined total of 2,080 VLS cells,” Naval News’ Peter Ong wrote.
While the SSGN’s VLS cells are used for launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, the cruisers’ VLS cells can launch Standard and Evolved Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine rockets (ASROC), and Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles, making them more versatile.
Some have been outfitted with ballistic missile defense capabilities. According to the Navy, the cruisers are designed for anti-air, undersea, and surface warfare.
The Navy’s Columbia-class Boomers Are Sorely Needed
The Columbia-class submarines are slated to replace the 40-year-old Ohio-class missile boats. But defense contractors keep announcing delays and cost overruns due to a shortage of qualified shipyard workers and supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19.
The big missile boats, specifically the SSBNs (Submersible Ballistic Nuclear Submarines), are a significant part of our nuclear triad. We currently have the Ohio class of nuclear boomers, which were the best in the world when they first launched. They still are the best.
However, the Navy is expanding the Ohio-class’s lifespan to more than double its initial forecast when it entered the fleet.
When the Columbia-class boats come online, the Ohio-class boats will be 42 years old, possibly older. To maintain the country’s nuclear deterrence, the Navy must keep at least 10 missile boats on patrol at all times.
The remaining 11 Columbia-class boats are scheduled for delivery annually until the fleet is complete in the early 2040s. The planned number of 12 Columbia-class submarines has been in place for some time and has not undergone significant changes.
U.S Navy Seals Photo. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
However, US Strategic Command Commander Gen. Anthony Cotton suggested that the service should extend its fleet beyond 12.
The Ohio-class will begin to be retired in 2027. To support the deterrent threat, the first Columbia SSBN, “The District of Columbia,” must be added to the fleet by 2030.
The Ohio-class boomers must be closely monitored for hull weakening and metal fatigue. The radioactive fuel that runs the reactors must be replaced, and the reactors themselves must eventually be refurbished or replaced at considerable cost.
The Columbia-class Is Coming Soon
The total cost of this Columbia submarine program is estimated to be around $130 billion for 12 submarines.
There have been delays and cost overruns in the Columbia-class program, with the first boat estimated to be delivered over a year late and costing hundreds of millions more than planned.
Columbia-Class Submarine SSBN Rendering U.S. Navy Photo
Building both Columbia-class and Virginia-class attack submarines concurrently presents industrial base challenges.
The US Navy is investing in strengthening the submarine supplier base, which involves significant funding to increase production capacity and improve manufacturing techniques.
And finally, things are beginning to turn in the Navy’s favor.
Rear Adm. Todd Weeks said at the 2026 WEST conference that USS District of Columbia is about 65 percent complete, with all 26 modules delivered to Groton under the A-26 acceleration plan.
The Navy now expects (if there are no further delays) that the submarine will be delivered in 2028. And the USS Wisconsin is also on schedule, roughly 35 percent complete, while construction on the USS Groton is ramping up. Full serial production is projected by 2031.
The VPM Upgrades to the Virginia-Class
DARWIN, Northern Territory, Australia (March 31, 2025) – The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783) departs from the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) after a scheduled port visit at Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, Mar. 31, 2025. Darwin is Emory S. Land’s 17th port call since it departed on deployment May 17, 2024. Emory S. Land and Minnesota are operating in U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed numbered fleet, operating with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mario E. Reyes Villatoro)
A total of 66 Virginia-class fast-attack submarines have been planned, with 25 completed and currently in service. Additionally, nine are under construction, and four more are on order. These will add much-needed firepower in the manner of missile delivery.
The final variant of the new submarines is Block V. It is larger than the previous versions, with an increase in length from 377 feet to 460 feet and in displacement from 7,800 tons to 10,200 tons. As a result of these changes, the Block V versions of the Virginia-class are the second-largest U.S. Navy submarines produced, behind only the Ohio class.
The added 83-foot section was to increase the number of missile launch tubes from twelve to forty, which, in essence, could triple the capacity for short targets on each boat.
This extended mid-body section – the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) – can also be used to store and fire additional Tomahawk cruise missiles and other payloads, including large-diameter unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).
Ohio-Class SSGN. Image Credit: U.S. Navy.
However, the timeline of being ready by 2030 (if they are completed) means there will likely be a gap of several years between the retirement of the last Ohio-class SSGN and the operational deployment of a substantial number of Block V boats.
Submarines will be the most significant need in the event of war with China. And the Navy needs more of them. The Navy can’t retire the Ohio-class until the capability to replace them is in place. The loss of this many VLS cells and the ability to deploy SOF would leave the Navy in too precarious a position.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
