The Navy
formalized key ship specifications for both the United States' Ohio
Replacement and United Kingdom's Successor Programs in a document signed
Aug. 31 at the Washington Navy Yard.
Rear Adm. Thomas J. Eccles, chief engineer and deputy commander Naval
Systems Engineering Directorate, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)
and Capt. William J. Brougham, Ohio Replacement program manager signed
the Ohio Replacement First Article Quad Pack Ship Specification document,
marking a major construction milestone.
"This document marks significant forward progress for both the
U.S. and UK future strategic submarine deterrent programs," said
Brougham. "It is a direct result of the engineering rigor and professionalism
of government and industry partners on both shores of the Atlantic." |
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Ship
specifications are critical for the design and construction of the common
missile compartment, which will be used by both nations' replacement
fleet ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) programs. Specifically, the
First Article Quad Pack Ship Specification establishes a common design
and technical requirements for the four missile tubes and associated
equipment that comprise each quad pack.
"The Ohio Replacement Program will serve as the backbone of our
nation's nuclear deterrence into the 2080s," said Eccles. "It
is vital that we perform the rigorous engineering, research, and design
work now so that we can ensure that the platform is able to address
and best the threats of future highly complex national security environments."
The Ohio Replacement SSBN Program is tasked with recapitalizing the
nation's sea-based strategic deterrent in a cost-effective manner. The
Navy plans to replace its current fleet of 14 Ohio-class SSBNs with
only 12 Ohio Replacement SSBNs. The first Ohio Replacement is scheduled
to begin construction in fiscal year 2021, deliver to the Navy in 2027,
and conduct its first strategic deterrence patrol in 2031 after undergoing
a rigorous testing and evaluation regime.
From Team Submarine Public Affairs |
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