By Kris Osborn, President, Warrior
(Washington DC) It would certainly be difficult to underestimate the Pentagon’s need for its new fleet of emerging nuclear-armed Columbia-class submarines, given the pace at which China is increasing its nuclear arsenal, and the continued “aging” of the US Navy’s current Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN).
The Ohio-class submarines have successfully and admirably served as the critical undersea leg of the nuclear triad, yet they have already been upgraded and sustained to operate years beyond their intended initial service life. Columbia-class submarines will not only continue the Pentagon’s critical need for undersea deterrence but will also
The Ohio class emerged in the early 1980s and has provided the key foundation for US Strategic Deterrence for decades. Pentagon leaders recognize the reality that the Ohio fleet is approaching obsolescence, a key reason why DoD is heavily emphasizing the development of Columbia submarines. Overall, the Ohio-class consists of 18-submarines, composed of 14 SSBN ballistic missile submarines and four SSGN cruise missiles.
Massive SSGN Firepower
The circumstances with the Ohio-class SSGN guided missile submarines is quite similar, as their planned retirement has driven the Navy’s rapid push to develop Virginia-class Block V Virginia Payload Tubes. Adding firepower to Virginia-class submarines is an effort for the Navy to restore firepower which will be lost with the retirement of four SSGN Ohio cruise missile submarines; SSGNs have brought massive firepower for many years and proven effective in war, as they are capable of carrying as many as 154 Tomahawk missiles along with Harpoons.
For many years now, Navy leaders have been clear that the Ohio-class simply cannot be extended any further, given the critical need for the undersea realm of strategic deterrence. Columbia-class submarines are expected to deploy by the early 2030s, if not sooner, yet it will take years before they exist in impactful numbers.
One of the largest problems with extending the Ohio class relates to technology; the Ohio class has served the Navy extremely well and can certainly live for a few more years, yet there is now existing new technology able to massively improve undersea performance, something considered quite critical in a changing modern threat environment. With new methods of detection, could Ohio-class boats become more vulnerable to detection? Will they remain relevant and effective for many more years into the future? The entire premise of undersea nuclear strategic deterrence is based on operating clandestine missions wherein submarines secretly lurk in dark corners of the ocean in strategic position to ensure a catastrophic second-strike upon any adversary launching a nuclear attack on the US.
Columbias
Columbia-class submarines, however, are being built with an entirely new suite of technologies which are now available. Instead of mechanical hydraulic propulsion, Columbia submarines are built with a quieter, more efficient “electric drive.” Electric drive is not only quieter but also capable of generating critical electrical power throughout the boat.
Columbias also have a quieter X-shaped stern and a host of cutting edge technologies woven into Virginia-class Block III submarines. These include a fiber-optic cable able to send periscope images and ISR data throughout the boat so sailors can view time-sensitive data without needing to stand underneath a periscope. Also of great significance, Columbia-class boats are receiving Virginia-class Block III “fly-by-wire” joystick computerized navigation. This enables human commanders to quickly and automatically establish depth and speed using advanced computer automation.
Therefore, the answer seems clear. It might be conceivable to attempt to push Ohios ever further, yet there is a threat-driven reason why Columbias are urgently needed to ensure undersea strategic deterrence.
Kris Osborn is President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University
