The U.S. Navy needs to proceed with replacing its aging fleet of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines even though the Department of Defense faces “significant budget pressures,” according to the head of U.S. Strategic Command.
Air Force Gen. Robert Kehler, whose responsibilities include overseeing American nuclear forces, said the new sub will be vital to maintaining the sea-based leg of the U.S. strategic nuclear deterrent, or “triad,” which also includes bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles.
“There is no question in my mind that we must replace the Ohio,” Kehler said in response to a question at a Capitol Hill breakfast seminar last week. “As far as I can see into the future, we are going to need a modern and capable portion of the deterrent that’s at sea.”
Under the SSBN(X) program, the Navy plans to acquire 12 subs to replace its 14 Ohio-class, Trident missile-equipped SSBNs, the first of which entered service more than 30 years ago. The Navy hopes to buy the first SSBN(X) vessel in fiscal year 2021.
The Navy has budgeted $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2014 for SSBN(X) development. Activities include work on the propulsion, missile compartment and other key technologies. The Navy will also jointly develop missile launch capabilities with the United Kingdom, which plans its own new sub, the Successor SSBN.
“I think we have a good program under way,” Kehler said. “I am very comfortable that that program is going to deliver.”
Kehler’s comments came a week before President Obama on June 19 proposed negotiating with Russia to further reduce the number of long-range or “strategic” nuclear warheads that each country deploys. Even if such cuts are approved, the United States will retain its nuclear “triad,” according to DOD.
