USS Michigan (SSGN-727)

Last updated

USS Michigan (SSBN-727).jpg
USS Michigan as SSBN-727 (2002)
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
NameUSS Michigan (SSGN-727)
NamesakeUS state of Michigan
Ordered28 February 1975
Builder General Dynamics Electric Boat
Laid down4 April 1977
Launched26 April 1980
Commissioned11 September 1982
Homeport Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor, Washington
MottoTuebor ("I will defend")
Statusin active service
Badge USS Michigan SSGN-727 Crest.png
General characteristics
Class and type Ohio-class
Displacement
  • 16,764 long tons (17,033 t) surfaced [1] [2]
  • 18,750 long tons (19,050 t) submerged [1]
Length560 ft (170 m)
Beam42 ft (13 m) [1]
Draft38 ft (12 m)
Propulsion
SpeedGreater than 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) [5]
Test depthGreater than 800 feet (240 m) [5]
Complement
Armament

USS Michigan (SSBN-727/SSGN-727) is an Ohio-class nuclear-powered guided missile submarine (SSGN), converted from a ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), that is part of the United States Navy. She is the third vessel to bear the name of the U.S. state of Michigan.

Contents

Construction and commissioning

Michigan was constructed at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, and was commissioned on 11 September 1982. Michigan arrived in Bangor, Washington, on 16 March 1983 and completed sixty-six Strategic Deterrent Patrols. She was originally designed and commissioned as a ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) capable of deploying 24 Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) with nuclear warheads.

Conversion to SSGN

As of June 2007, Michigan has been converted to an SSGN at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. [6] Her hull classification symbol then changed from SSBN-727 to SSGN-727.

Post-conversion

On 12 December 2009, Michigan returned to Naval Base Kitsap, her home base, completing her first deployment after the SSGN conversion. The deployment began 10 November 2008, and included numerous missions. The boat also completed several theater security cooperation engagements with Pacific Rim nations. [7]

On 28 June 2010, Michigan was one of three Ohio-class submarines involved in a US response to Chinese missile testing in the contested East China Sea. Michigan, Ohio, and Florida all surfaced simultaneously in the waters of South Korea, the Philippines, and the British Indian Ocean Territory respectively. [8] [9]

In August 2016, CSC Dominique Saavedra embarked aboard Michigan and became the first enlisted female sailor to have earned her submarine qualification serving on a U.S. Navy submarine, the first boat specially modified with separate accommodations for enlisted female crew. (The first female, both officer and overall was in 2011.) [10] [11] [12]

On 25 April 2017, Michigan docked at Busan Naval Base, South Korea, during a time of heightened tensions with North Korea. She later joined the USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group in the Sea of Japan for exercises. [13] Photographs show a dry deck shelter mounted on Michigan.

Michigan returned to Busan Naval Base, South Korea on 15 June 2023, the day after North Korea fired two short-range missiles off its east coast. The visual display of the submarine - again with a mounted dry deck shelter - was done to demonstrate the US resolve to support and protect South Korea against North Korea's recent aggression. [14]

Related Research Articles

<i>Ohio</i>-class submarine Class of US nuclear ballistic missile submarines

The Ohio class of nuclear-powered submarines includes the United States Navy's 14 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and its four cruise missile submarines (SSGNs). Each displacing 18,750 tons submerged, the Ohio-class boats are the largest submarines ever built for the U.S. Navy. They are also the third-largest submarines ever built, behind the Russian Navy's Soviet era 48,000-ton Typhoon class, the last of which was retired in 2023, and 24,000-ton Borei class. Capable of carrying 24 Trident II missiles apiece, the Ohio class are equipped with just as many missiles as, if not more than, either the Borei class (16) or the deactivated Typhoon class (20).

A ballistic missile submarine is a submarine capable of deploying submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with nuclear warheads. These submarines became a major weapon system in the Cold War because of their nuclear deterrence capability. They can fire missiles thousands of kilometers from their targets, and acoustic quieting makes them difficult to detect, thus making them a survivable deterrent in the event of a first strike and a key element of the mutual assured destruction policy of nuclear deterrence. The deployment of ballistic missile submarines is dominated by the United States and Russia. In fact, 70 % of nuclear warheads in the USA are carried by SSBN submarines.

USS <i>Ohio</i> (SSGN-726) Submarine of the United States

USS Ohio (SSBN-726/SSGN-726), the lead boat of her class of nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), is the fourth vessel of the United States Navy to be named for the U.S. state of Ohio. She was commissioned with the hull designation of SSBN-726, and with her conversion to a guided missile submarine she was re-designated SSGN-726.

USS <i>Louisiana</i> (SSBN-743) Submarine of the United States

USS Louisiana (SSBN-743) is the 18th and last ship of the United States Navy's Ohio class of nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarines. She carries Trident ballistic missiles and has been in commission since 1997. She is the fourth commissioned ship to bear the name of the U.S. state of Louisiana.

Three ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Michigan in honor of the 26th state.

USS <i>Maine</i> (SSBN-741) Submarine of the United States

USS Maine (SSBN-741) is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine in commission since 1995. She is the fourth U.S. Navy ship authorized, and the third commissioned, to be named in honor of the state of Maine. She has the capability to carry 24 nuclear armed Trident ballistic missiles.

<i>George Washington</i>-class submarine United States Navy class of fleet ballistic missile submarines

The George Washington class was a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines deployed by the United States Navy. George Washington, along with the later Ethan Allen, Lafayette, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin classes, comprised the "41 for Freedom" group of submarines that represented the Navy's main contribution to the nuclear deterrent force through the late 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cruise-missile submarine</span> Submarine capable of launching cruise missiles

A cruise missile submarine is a submarine that carries and launches cruise missiles as its primary armament. Missiles greatly enhance a warship's ability to attack surface combatants and strike land targets; although torpedoes are a more discreet option for submerged submarines, missiles give a much longer stand-off range, shorter time to impact the target, as well as the ability to engage multiple targets on different headings at the same time. Many cruise missile submarines retain the capability to deploy nuclear warheads on their missiles, but they are considered distinct from ballistic missile submarines due to the substantial differences between the two weapons systems' flight characteristics; cruise missiles fly aerodynamically using flight surfaces like wings or fins, while a ballistic missile uses its engine power alone as it may exit the atmosphere.

USS <i>Tennessee</i> (SSBN-734) Submarine of the United States

USS Tennessee (SSBN-734) is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine that has been in commission since 1988. She is the fourth ship and first submarine of the U.S. Navy to be named for Tennessee, the 16th state.

USS <i>Georgia</i> (SSGN-729) Ohio-class submarine

USS Georgia (SSBN-729/SSGN-729), an Ohio-class cruise missile submarine, is the second vessel of the United States Navy to be named for the U.S. state of Georgia.

USS <i>Alabama</i> (SSBN-731) Ohio-class submarine

USS Alabama (SSBN-731) is the sixth Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, and the seventh United States vessel to be named for the state of Alabama. The boat's motto duplicates the state's motto, Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere.

USS <i>Florida</i> (SSGN-728) Submarine of the United States

USS Florida (SSBN-728/SSGN-728), an Ohio-class cruise missile submarine, is the sixth vessel of the United States Navy to be named for the U.S. state of Florida. She was commissioned with the hull designation of SSBN-728; with her conversion to a cruise missile submarine, from a ballistic missile submarine, she was re-designated SSGN-728.

USS <i>Kentucky</i> (SSBN-737) Submarine of the United States

USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine which has been in commission since 1991. She is the third U.S. Navy ship to be named for Kentucky, the 15th state.

USS <i>Nebraska</i> (SSBN-739) Submarine of the United States

USS Nebraska (SSBN-739) is the 14th Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, and the second United States Navy vessel to be named in honor of Nebraska, the 37th state. She carries Trident ballistic missiles.

USS <i>Wyoming</i> (SSBN-742) Submarine of the United States

USS Wyoming (SSBN-742) is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine which has been in commission since 1996. She is the fourth US Navy ship to be named USS Wyoming, although it was only the third named after the state of Wyoming.

USS <i>Alaska</i> (SSBN-732) Submarine of the United States

USS Alaska (SSBN-732), is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine which has been in commission since 1986. She is the fourth US Navy ship to be named for the Territory or State of Alaska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay</span> US Navy ballistic missile submarine base

Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay is a base of the United States Navy located adjacent to the city of St. Marys in Camden County, Georgia, on the East River in southeastern Georgia, and 38 miles (61 km) from Jacksonville, Florida. The Submarine Base is the U.S. Atlantic Fleet's home port for U.S. Navy Fleet ballistic missile nuclear submarines capable of being armed with Trident missile nuclear weapons. This submarine base covers about 16,000 acres of land, of which 4,000 acres are protected wetlands.

There are three major types of submarines in the United States Navy: ballistic missile submarines, attack submarines, and cruise missile submarines. All submarines currently in the U.S. Navy are nuclear-powered. Ballistic missile submarines have a single strategic mission of carrying nuclear submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Attack submarines have several tactical missions, including sinking ships and subs, launching cruise missiles, and gathering intelligence. Cruise missile submarines perform many of the same missions as attack submarines, but with a focus on their ability to carry and launch larger quantities of cruise missiles than typical attack submarines.

<i>Columbia</i>-class submarine Future class of US Navy nuclear ballistic missile submarines

The upcoming Columbia-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines of the United States Navy are designed to replace the Ohio class. Construction of the first vessel began on 1 October 2020. She is scheduled to enter service in 2031.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "SSBN-726 Ohio-Class FBM Submarines". Federation of American Scientists. 9 February 2000. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Frost, Peter. "Newport News contract awarded". Daily Press . Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  3. ↑ "US study of reactor and fuel types to enable naval reactors to shift from HEU fuel". Fissile Materials. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  4. ↑ Brendan Patrick Hanlon (July 2015). Validation of the Use of Low Enriched Uranium as a Replacement for Highly Enriched Uranium in US Submarine Reactors (PDF) (Master thesis). Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Submarine Frequently Asked Questions". Chief of Naval Operations Submarine Warfare Division. Archived from the original on 13 July 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  6. ↑ "Ceremony Celebrates USS Michigan Conversion". Kitsap Sun . Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  7. ↑ "Michigan completes first SSGN deployment". Military Times . 16 December 2009. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  8. ↑ "In 2010, the U.S. Navy Surfaced Three Missiles Subs as a Warning to China". War is Boring. Medium. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  9. ↑ Torode, Greg. "US submarines emerge in show of military might". Viet-Studies. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  10. ↑ Larter, David B. (3 August 2016). "Navy chief becomes first woman to earn silver submarine pin". Navy Times.
  11. ↑ "1st enlisted female sailor gets submarine qualification". Chicago Tribune. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  12. ↑ "USS Ohio Gold Crew Member Becomes First Female Supply Officer to Qualify in Submarines". Navy Currents. Sea Technology. August 2012. Archived from the original on 23 September 2013.
  13. ↑ "North Korea tensions: USS Michigan submarine to enter South Korean port". Fox News. 24 April 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  14. ↑ "U.S. nuclear-powered submarine arrives at South Korea's Busan port". Reuters. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register and various news articles.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.