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US Navy to retire 4 Ohio-class missile subs within 3 years

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • The U.S. Navy is retiring its four Ohio-class guided missile nuclear submarines, with the USS Georgia completing its final deployment.
  • These submarines, capable of carrying over 100 Tomahawk missiles, have served as underwater arsenals and special operations platforms.
  • While newer Virginia-class submarines will eventually replace them, they cannot fully match the Ohio-class's missile capacity or command capabilities.

The U.S. Navy is phasing out its four Ohio-class guided missile nuclear submarines, with the USS Georgia recently completing its final operational deployment. The submarine, which has served for over 42 years, is set to be decommissioned on July 31, initiating its retirement and dismantling process. The USS Georgia, a formidable "underwater arsenal ship," could carry up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, though typically deployed with around 100. Its firepower significantly exceeds that of any surface vessel.

Beyond its land-attack capabilities, the Ohio-class submarines are versatile platforms. They can be equipped with dry deck shelters to support special operations personnel, mini-submarines, and unmanned vehicles. This allows them to function as covert intelligence hubs and command centers, making them some of the U.S. Navy's most heavily utilized submarines. The USS Georgia has a history of deployments to the Middle East, notably passing through the Strait of Hormuz during periods of heightened U.S.-Iran tensions.

This underwater arsenal ship, capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, is one of four Ohio-class guided missile nuclear submarines currently in service with the U.S. Navy. The other three will also be retired by 2029, but there are currently no replacement vessels of the same class.

Describing the USS Georgia and its class of submarines.

Following the USS Georgia's retirement, its three sister ships, USS Ohio, USS Florida, and USS Michigan, are scheduled for decommissioning between fiscal years 2027 and 2029. While the upcoming Virginia-class submarines, specifically the Block V variants equipped with the "Virginia Payload Module," will carry 40 Tomahawk missiles and hypersonic weapons, they are not expected to fully replace the Ohio-class submarines in terms of missile capacity, special operations support, or command and control functions.

The USS Georgia, after serving for more than 42 years, has completed its final operational deployment and returned to the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia. It is scheduled to cease operations on July 31, beginning its subsequent decommissioning and dismantling process.

Detailing the USS Georgia's final deployment and upcoming decommissioning.
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Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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