Maintaining a capable, appropriately sized submarine force is an integral part of the United States strategy for deterring, and, if necessary, conducting wartime operations. Since the end of the Cold War, significant changes in the strategic environment have led the Department of Defense (DOD) to reduce the size of its submarine force. The United States has two types of submarines, both of which are nuclear-powered: attack submarines (SSN) and ballistic missile submarines (SSBN). Attack submarines are part of the conventional forces and have capabilities in several mission areas including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, undersea warfare, strike warfare, and special operations warfare. Ballistic missile submarines are part of the strategic forces and are capable of launching strategic nuclear weapons upon short notice. The Trident ballistic missile submarine force consists of 18 Ohio-class (SSBN-726) submarines. DOD has determined that it only needs 14 Trident SSBNs to meet future requirements for strategic weapons and developed plans in the 1990s to retire 4 of its 18 Trident SSBNs during fiscal years 2003- 2004.


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    Title :

    Force Structure: Options for Enhancing the Navy's Attack Submarine Force


    Publication date :

    2001


    Size :

    94 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English