“I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case,” Trump stated, calling it an effort to be “prepared.” He did not specify the type of submarines or their destination.
The Pentagon typically releases minimal information about submarine movements, citing security concerns. The US Navy operates three categories of nuclear-powered submarines, though only one type carries nuclear weapons.
The 14 Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs), known as “boomers,” are designed for nuclear deterrence and can carry 20 Trident missiles each. According to a Navy fact sheet, SSBNs are “designed specifically for stealth and the precise delivery of nuclear warheads.”
Trident missiles can strike targets up to 4,600 miles away, allowing launches from the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, or Arctic oceans. The 170-metre-long vessels displace nearly 19,000 tons submerged and have a crew of 159.
Four other Ohio-class subs were converted into guided-missile submarines (SSGNs) in the 1990s, replacing their nuclear payloads with conventional Tomahawk missiles. Each SSGN carries up to 154 Tomahawks, capable of delivering a 1,000-pound high-explosive warhead over a range of 1,000 miles.
These SSGNs can also deploy special forces via former missile tubes adapted as lockout chambers. While their movements are classified, the Navy has occasionally publicised their presence near global hotspots as a show of deterrence.
The Navy’s fast-attack submarines, forming the bulk of the fleet, are designed to engage enemy vessels and strike land targets with Tomahawk missiles. They include the Virginia, Los Angeles, and Seawolf classes.
The Virginia class is the newest, with 23 subs in service, ranging from 377 to 461 feet long and displacing up to 10,200 tons. The older Los Angeles class, with 23 still active, measures 360 feet and displaces 6,900 tons.
The Seawolf class is the smallest, comprising three vessels, including the specialised USS Jimmy Carter. According to the Navy, this extended-hull submarine can “carry out classified research and development and [has] enhanced warfighting capabilities.”
