United States SSBN Forces and Operations

Abstract

The United States had thirty-five operational SSBNs in 1984: thirty-one of the Lafayette class¹ and four of the Ohio class. The former became operational between 1963 and 1967 and the first of the latter in 1982. Table 7.1 outlines some characteristics of both classes and their missiles. SSBNs are the largest submarines built by the US, and Ohio boats are exceeded in submerged displacement only by the USSR's Typhoon-class ballistic missile submarines. Carrying the 2500 NM Poseidon C-3 missile, nineteen Lafayettes can patrol approximately 3 million sq. NM of ocean and remain effective against targets in the Soviet Union.² That total area includes part of the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Indian Oceans as well as the Mediterranean Sea.³ The Trident 1 or C-4 missile is currently on the remaining twelve Lafayette and on the Ohio boats. Its 4200 NM range widens the patrol area to between 30 and 40 million sq. NM.⁴ When the ninth Ohio submarine appears in 1989, it will be armed with the Trident 2 or D-5 missile with a nominal range of 6000 NM. Thus it will theoretically be able to patrol over 50 million sq. NM, though the actual total will be somewhat less because some ocean areas will be deemed unsuitable for very large submarines because of shallow depth or other reasons.⁵ The area generally includes nearly all the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as well as much of the Indian Ocean.