USS Nebraska Test Firing Sends Powerful Message - plus the US and UK's new ballistic missile submarines

On 26 March 2018,the US Navy's Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) successfully launched two Trident II D5 missiles.The unarmed missiles were part of a Demonstration and Shakedown Operation (DASO) in the Pacific Test Range off the California coast,the US Navy said.According to Captain Mark Benning,Deputy Director of Strategic System Programs (SSP):
The successful completion of DASO 28 was not only an important milestone in USS Nebraska's return to service,but also an important demonstration of the reliable and credible sea-based leg of the US nuclear deterrent triad.*
The primary objective of DASO 28 was to evaluate and demonstrate the readiness of the Nebraska's strategic weapon system and crew before its first operational deployment after its midlife refueling overhaul.The Nebraska is assigned to Submarine Group 9,one of eight Ohio-class submarines homeported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor,Washington State.Ballistic missile submarines are an element of the US Strategic Command (STRATCOM).*
DASO 28 was carefully monitored by the Military Sealift Command's USNS Waters (T-AGS 45).Its instrumentation and personnel,including scientists and engineers,tracked the submarine and its missiles through the launch process.*
Both the US and the UK are currently engaged in procuring new classes of ballistic missile submarines.The US is procuring the Columbia-class,which will consist of 12 submarines armed with 16 D5 missiles;while the UK is procuring the Dreadnought-class,which will have 3-4 submarines armed with 8 D5 missiles.The two classes will share a Common Missile Compartment (CMC) design,and the US is providing the UK with technical assistance;while the UK has provided substantial initial funding for the CMC.
The Columbia-class is named for the first submarine in the class,the USS Columbia (SSBN 826),named in honour of the District of Columbia.Procurement of the new submarine will run from 2019-2033,with the first SSBN entering service in 2029,a Congressional Research Service report to Congress indicated.*
General Dynamics (GD)

Ohio Class Submarine Replacement A Priority

Speaking at a Senate Armed Forces Committee hearing Monday,General Robert Kehler,US Air Force,Commander,US Strategic Command,said we have to get on with it-referring to the replacement for the US Navy's Ohio class nuclear submarine.I continue to support the triad of land,air and sea-based nuclear weapons.They provide the survivability,flexibility and responsiveness which confound the enemy.
We intend to keep the Ohio submarines longer than any other submarines.I believe we understand when we will reach that point of replacement.
The land-based missile silos and airfields are not dependent on the local power grid.They are not vulnerable in that way.They are threatened by electromagnetic pulse.Defense against that is needed.
We made a number of judgements about the future.The value of a submarine-based deterrent will remain as high as it is today.The Navy's assessment is what's driving this.It's the cycles on a submarine,the pressure doing things to the metallurgy and fittings that encase them,affecting the continued safety.
Sliding the submarines over an additional two years puts them in the zone of concern.Twelve of the new class of submarine looks like the right number.It's the right capability/cost balance.We need  new long range strike aircraft as well,and the viability of land-based ICBMs beyond 2030 is an issue.
The UK wants to piggyback on the new submarine program for their own nuclear deterrent as well.It's a delicate dance.The 2013 budget continued the modernisation effort.I don't know how the 2014 budget will affect it.It continues to be a wise investment,I believe.
The 14 Ohio class submarines are the launch platform for the Trident II D5 intercontinental ballistic missiles that are the sea-based leg of the nuclear triad.

Strategic Deterrence Mission Continues

The U.S. Navy's strategic deterrence mission persisted after the end of the Cold War.The main purpose of the 14 Ohio class submarines is to carry out that mission.The submarines,homeported in Bangor,Washington and Kings Bay,Georgia,are armed with Trident II ballistic missiles.Each submarine has 24 launch tubes for the missiles,which have a range of more than 4,000 nautical miles.They also have four torpedo tubes for the Mk48 torpedo.
Most of the Ohio class submarines are named for a state-with the exception of the USS Henry M. Jackson(SSBN730),which is named after the late senator from the state of Washington,who was known for being a staunch cold warrior.The nuclear-powered vessels have a speed of 25+ knots submerged and a complement of 155.General Dynamics built the Ohio class.