Launch Delayed for Converted Trident Submarine

Minor technical problems have delayed the launch of the USS Ohio, the first of four Trident-class submarines to be refitted with conventional cruise missiles, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Jan. 10, 2006).

The submarine in 2002 docked at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wash., to have its 24 nuclear-armed, long-range ballistic missiles replaced with as many as 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles.  The project took two years and cost $750 million.  The submarine also underwent a one-year, $250-million refueling of its nuclear power plant.

The submarine can carry a 66-member special operations team able to enter and exit the craft underwater through its missile tubes.  The submarine’s crew has been training since it rejoined the fleet on Feb. 7, 2006.

The U.S. Navy said it plans to deploy the Ohio in the western Pacific Ocean.  It was initially set to leave the shipyard Saturday (Associated Press/Seattle Times, Oct. 13).

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