The Navy’s Big Ohio-Class Submarine Mistake Still Stings

National Security Journal ^ | 9/5/2025 | Brent M. Eastwood

[whyilovetexas111]

The Ohio-class’s carrying capacity is about 50 percent of the entire supply of the U.S. Navy’s Tomahawk missiles. And since these SSGNs have been used recently to great effect, why take them away now?

Some experts even argue that there is a strong case for attempting a refit of at least some of these powerful missile submarines until more Virginia-class boats equipped with cruise missiles can replace them.

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TOPICS: Government; History; Military/Veterans; Politics
KEYWORDS: military; navy; submarines; usnavy; whyiloveblogpimps111

[whyilovetexas111]

I blame Biden.

[BobL]

Another perfect example of Neocon Strategic Planning...keep DISARMING this country will starting wars around the world and while even heavily engaging in one of those wars.

Absolutely CLASSIC Neocon Strategic Planning...

[SoConPubbie]

This National Security Journal stinks of NEOCON manipulation.

[reed13k]

I thought the issue was around the number of times the hulls could withstand submerging to depth? Accumulated metal fatigue or some such...

[Pete Dovgan]

They need those subs.
They need to replace the entire fleet of Ohio’s, they are aging and at the end of service life. Yet, they don’t have replacements yet and they have no subs to fit the duties of the Converted Ohio’s.

In a nation that spends more on interest on the National Debt than it does on defense, we need to reconsider our priorities. Great Priority needs to be given to a navy to defend our shores and shipping.

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

---- "This National Security Journal stinks of NEOCON manipulation."

Yes, it does. Only yesterday "still stings" was repeated, so the vocabulary repeats too. Rather like a template being filled out.

The Navy's Big Ohio-Class Submarine Mistake Still Stings 9/5/2025, 8:18:27 AM

The British Army's Challenger 3 Tank Mistake Still Stings 9/4/2025, 3:23:16 PM

A look to the OP's recent history shows little engagement with Freepers, after "flogging the blog." See:

FR Posts by whyilovetexas111

Examples from the FR page, only in the past days:

China's Military Has Just One Goal: Beat America in a War 9/3/2025, 1:14:17 PM · 1 of 22

There's Only One Way to Deal with Russia 9/2/2025, 2:49:52 PM · 1 of 84

Study: Having A Husband And Kids Doubles Women's Likelihood Of Being Happy 9/1/2025, 4:35:16 PM · 1 of 33

China Seems ‘Locked and Loaded’ to Sink Navy Aircraft Carriers 9/1/2025, 1:09:58 PM · 1 of 89

Minneapolis Shooting Reveals Democrat Party's Comfort With Satanic Talking Points 8/29/2025, 12:30:10 PM · 1 of 32

[Skwor]

The National Security Journal is globalist warmongering American hating trash, the articles are pure propaganda to feed the industrial war complex with the design of creating as much unrest and conflict as possible.

I had posts from that rag here.

[Skwor]

had = hate

[exnavy]

You are correct, the hulls of submarines are subject to stress and fatigue in the metal and weld joints. I do not know the useable lifetime of a typical SSGN.

[alternatives?]

Can’t they just reduce the maximum depth?

[alternatives?]

See post 10.

[Vermont Lt]

More negative waves....pun intended.

[Retain Mike]

"This will hurt the Navy’s posture. The Ohio-class’ carrying capacity is about 50 percent of the entire supply of the U.S. Navy’s Tomahawk missiles. And since these SSGNs have been used recently to great effect, why take them away now?"

This sentence from the article makes a good summary as far as I am concerned. My Navy put angles decks on aircraft carriers, FRAMed destroyers, and removed gun mounts from cruisers and destroyers to install the three "T" missiles. This seems a great strategy to further debilitate our Navy.

[LS]

In my 1984 book, “Trident” with Doug Dalgleish, in our final chapter we strongly recommended converting several Ohio hulls for more Tomahawks. That’s . . . 1984!

https://www.amazon.com/Trident-Science-International-Affairs-Dalglleish/dp/0809311267/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26BFWSOK6FAAP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zdO0FdBeDwB0mwttlHVLlJFt-IK-_SegpeK9o6FQxu0.q6t9jMPQ_ZnFM_AoiCXUPTOCtyLKGZDqjv3JaLv_veE&dib_tag=se&keywords=Trident+book+Schweikart&qid=1757084790&sprefix=trident+book+schweikart%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1

[painter]

Bump

[real saxophonist]

This National Security Journal stinks of NEOCON manipulation.

There, fixed it.

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

Thanks for including me in your ping. My participation in this thread is to observe that the OP has not responded to any who ping back to him with a comment.

As to Navy issues, I leave that you you all, as ex-Army isn't really qualified to play in that arena. All best. And ping me again, if the OP actually responds to you.

[higgmeister]

I miss Gunner

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

The story of the Ohio-class over-design goes way back.

To start with, they planned that computers would just keep getting larger, and need equally large cooling systems. Also that missiles would get larger. Instead missiles became so small that launch tubes needed adapters to hold the missiles.

The lack of these things meant they had to substantially increase their ballast of lead bars, just to sink. Someone noted that there was so much empty space, a single boat could carry several times the number of naval mines the US had in its inventory.

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

--- "I miss Gunner"

Wouldja fill me in, a little? Thanks.