US Navy Prepares To Retire 18,000-Ton Nuclear Submarine USS Georgia After 42 Years Of Service

The US Navy’s nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine USS Georgia has returned to its homeport after completing its final operational mission.

USS Georgia (SSGN 729), an Ohio-class guided-missile submarine based at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, returned home on Monday, July 27, after more than 42 years of service.

The submarine is the first of the Navy’s four Ohio-class SSGNs scheduled to leave active service.

The Navy said USS Georgia’s final voyage from operations was complete and that the submarine would begin its scheduled inactivation process. The vessel was initially expected to start inactivation on July 31, 2026.

However, the Navy later confirmed to The War Zone that the timeline had changed. USS Georgia will remain at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay until it changes homeport to Norfolk for inactivation at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in July 2027.

Commissioned on February 11, 1984, USS Georgia was originally built as an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). It was later converted into a guided-missile submarine (SSGN), with the conversion completed in 2008.

The conversion turned USS Georgia into one of only four Ohio-class submarines designed to carry large numbers of precision-strike weapons while also supporting special operations missions.

The Ohio-class submarine fleet consists of 18 nuclear-powered submarines, including 14 ballistic missile submarines and four guided-missile submarines. Each submarine is 560 feet (171 metres) long and operates with a crew of around 155 sailors.

USS Georgia and the other Ohio-class SSGNs are known for their ability to carry a large number of Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles. The submarine can carry up to 154 Tomahawk missiles, making it one of the most heavily armed submarines operated by the US Navy.

The submarine is also capable of supporting special operations forces through dry deck shelters and underwater delivery vehicles. It can also serve as an underwater intelligence and command platform during complex missions.

Over the years, USS Georgia has been deployed during periods of increased geopolitical tension. In late 2020 and early 2021, the submarine made publicised surface transits through the Strait of Hormuz during a period of heightened tensions with Iran.

In May 2021, Iranian boats approached USS Georgia and its escorts during one of these transits, leading a US Coast Guard patrol boat to fire warning shots.

The retirement of USS Georgia begins the withdrawal of the Navy’s Ohio-class SSGN fleet. The remaining submarines, USS Ohio, USS Florida and USS Michigan, are expected to retire over the next several years, with the Navy previously planning for the entire SSGN fleet to leave service by 2029.

The move will reduce the number of submarines capable of carrying large numbers of cruise missiles. Virginia-class Block V attack submarines equipped with the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) will provide additional missile capacity, but they will carry fewer weapons than the Ohio-class SSGNs.

A Virginia Block V submarine is expected to carry up to 40 Tomahawk missiles, compared with the Ohio-class SSGN’s maximum capacity of 154. The new submarines will also be capable of launching future Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic missiles.

The first Virginia-class Block V submarine with the VPM is not expected to enter service until 2028.

The US Navy is also developing the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine programme to replace the ageing Ohio-class nuclear deterrent fleet. While larger submarine concepts have been discussed as a possible future replacement for the SSGN capability, the immediate focus remains on delivering the Columbia-class submarines.

References: interestingengineering, twz