US Navy yet to decide on new SSBN design

The US Navy (USN) will start concept and system-definition studies in Fiscal Year 2010 (FY10) for a new ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN) to replace the current Ohio class, Rear Admiral Stephen E Johnson, director of the USN's Strategic Systems Program Office, told a recent National Defense University Foundation forum in Washington. The studies will enable construction to start in FY19 and replacement of current SSBNs to start in FY25-28. Rear Admiral Johnson said the initial design work will be on the missile compartment and that there has been no decision on fundamental issues regarding the new SSBN design

[first posted to http://jmr.janes.com - 30 July 2009]