1981: Ohio Class (U.S.) More and Longer-Range Weapons
Ohio during trials Photograph from Bettmann/CORBIS
The larger and more capable Ohio-class submarines replaced an aging 1960s-era ballistic-missile
submarine fleet. The Ohio subs carry more and longer-range weapons, operate more quietly, and
dive deeper than their predecessors. Each of the 18 subs in the class is scheduled for
active duty through at least 2020.
Length: 560 ft (171 m) Beam: 42 ft (13 m) Draft: 38 ft (12 m) Displacement: 18,750 tons Propulsion: 1 pressurized-water nuclear reactor, 1 propeller Crew: 163 Armament: 24 Trident missile tubes, 4 21-inch (533-mm) torpedo tubes First Sub Commissioned: November 11, 1981 Maximum Speed: 25+ knots (29+ mph/46+ kph)
