US Submarine Force and Warfare Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is the crew size of the SSGN-726 Ohio Class Guided Missile Submarine?

15 officers/144 enlisted/66 SOF personnel

What class of submarine is being designed to replace the Ohio Class Ballistic Missile Submarines?

The Columbia Class

When and at what rate are the Ohio Class Ballistic Missile Submarines being decommissioned?

One per year starting in 2027

Where are West Coast SSGNs home ported?

Bangor, WA Signup and view all the answers

Where are East Coast SSGNs home ported?

King's Bay, GA Signup and view all the answers

What is special about the ADCAP version of the MK-48?

It includes improvements in speed and accuracy, sophisticated SONAR, all digital guidance and control systems, and increased range. Signup and view all the answers

What is the visual identification of the SSGN-726 Ohio Class Guided Missile Submarine?

Fairwater planes also known as sail planes, large 'turtleback' hull design, deck stays dry while riding on the surface. Signup and view all the answers

What are the mission specific capabilities of the SSGN-726 Ohio Class Guided Missile Submarine?

Specialized to support SOF missions, large Tomahawk Cruise Missile payload for precision strike. Signup and view all the answers

What are the weapons of the SSGN-726 Ohio Class Guided Missile Submarine?

Mk 48 Torpedos -- 4 Torpedo Tubes, UGM-109 Tomahawk Cruise Missiles -- Maximum 154. Signup and view all the answers

The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is a short-range weapon.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is periscope depth?

The depth at which the periscope is exposed while the hull of the submarines remains below the water line. Signup and view all the answers

What has the submarine force begun to transition to instead of periscopes?

Photonics masts Signup and view all the answers

What advantages do photonics masts provide?

Sensor flexibility, efficient use of the limited space in submarines. Signup and view all the answers

What happens in active sonar?

The sub emits a pulse of sound that travels through the water and reflects off of an object, returning to the submarine. Signup and view all the answers

What happens in passive sonar?

Involves listening to sounds, like the noise generated by a merchant's engines or another submarine's screw. Signup and view all the answers

What programs torpedoes?

Fire control Signup and view all the answers

What is the capacity for TLAMs on SSGNs?

22 missile tubes Signup and view all the answers

What is the mission of the US Submarine Force?

To execute the mission of the US Navy in and from the undersea domain, lending added capacity and leveraging undersea concealment for operational, deterrent, and combat effects. Signup and view all the answers

What is the modern-day submarine warfare insignia?

Dolphins or Fish. Signup and view all the answers

When was the submarine warfare insignia design adopted?

March 1924. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the modern-day submarine warfare insignia.

A bow view of a submarine with bow planes rigged for diving, and dolphin fish flanking the bow and conning tower. Signup and view all the answers

Who wears the SSBN Deterrence Patrol Pin?

Officers and enlisted sailors of the submarine service who have completed strategic deterrent patrols on nuclear ballistic missile submarines. Signup and view all the answers

What is the design of the SSBN Deterrence Patrol Pin?

A silver Lafayette-Class submarine with superimposed Polaris missile and electron rings, holding up to six award stars. Signup and view all the answers

When is the SSBN Deterrence Patrol Pin upgraded to a gold design?

After twenty successful patrols. Signup and view all the answers

Who wears the Submarine Combat Patrol Pin?

Officers and enlisted who have completed combat patrols during declared wars. Signup and view all the answers

What is the design of the Submarine Combat Patrol Pin?

It shows a Gato-Class diesel submarine with service stars beneath it. Signup and view all the answers

How did the American Revolution influence submarine design and capability?

The Turtle, designed by David Bushnell, was the first military submarine capable of independent underwater operation. Signup and view all the answers

What date did the HL Hunley sink the USS Housatonic?

February 18, 1864. Signup and view all the answers

How did World War I influence submarine design and capability?

German U-boats were central to naval strategy, leading to changes in tactics and the involvement of American submarines in European waters. Signup and view all the answers

What were the three classes of submarines used during WWII?

Gato, Balao, Tench. Signup and view all the answers

What is the acronym for fast attack submarines?

SSN. Signup and view all the answers

What is the mission of the SSN-21 Seawolf class Attack Submarines?

ASW/ASUW/Sea Denial/ISR/Strike/Special Ops. Signup and view all the answers

What is the crew size of the SSN-774 Virginia Class Attack Submarine?

14 officers/120 enlisted. Signup and view all the answers

What is the mission of the SSBN-726 Ohio Class Ballistic Missile Submarine?

Strategic Deterrence. Signup and view all the answers

How many submarine-launched ballistic missiles can Ohio Class SSBNs carry?

<ol start="24"> <li></li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are SSBNs also called?

Boomers. Signup and view all the answers

Where are West Coast boomers home ported?

Bangor, WA. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

US Submarine Force Mission

Executes US Navy missions from the undersea domain, enhancing naval capacity and operational advantages through concealment.
Capable of delivering operational, deterrent, and combat effects both underwater and across domains.

Submarine Warfare Insignia

Modern-day insignia known as "Dolphins" or "Fish," designed to symbolize submarine warfare.
Submarine warfare insignia adopted in March 1924.

SSBN Deterrence Patrol Pin

Worn by submarine service officers and enlisted sailors completing strategic deterrent patrols on ballistic missile submarines.
Design features a silver Lafayette-Class submarine with Polaris missile, electron rings, and a scroll for award stars based on successful patrols.

Historical Submarine Developments

American Revolution: Turtle, first military submarine (1775), designed by David Bushnell, capable of independent underwater operation.
Civil War: Confederate HL Hunley sank USS Housatonic using a spar torpedo on February 18, 1864, marking the first successful military submarine mission.
Pre-World War Era: USS Holland, first modern commissioned submarine, acquired by the US Navy on April 11, 1900.
World War I: U-boats were central to German naval strategy; the sinking of RMS Lusitania (May 7, 1915) prompted US entry into the war.
World War II: The US submarine force dealt significant damage to enemy shipping, sinking 1,314 ships. High casualty rates among submariners marked this period.

Submarine Classes and Capabilities

Los Angeles Class: Launched in 1976, equipped with advanced ASW/ASUW capabilities. Features include 12 VLS for Tomahawk missiles and a crew of 14 officers/120 enlisted.
Seawolf Class: First commissioned in 1997, known for being exceptionally quiet and fast. Contains advanced sensors and a crew size of 14 officers/126 enlisted.
Virginia Class: Next-generation platform with significant enhancements, including a fly-by-wire control and reconfigurable torpedo room. Commissioned USS Virginia on October 23, 2004, operates with a crew of 14 officers/120 enlisted.

Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs)

Ohio Class serves as the primary US strategic deterrent platform.
Capable of carrying 24 Trident II D5 SLBMs and designed for stealth and precise missile delivery.
15 officers/140 enlisted make up the crew size.

Guided Missile Submarines (SSGNs)

Converted from Ohio Class SSBNs to provide precision strike capability and support for Special Operations Forces.
Equipped with Tomahawk missiles, each SSGN can carry 154 TLAMs with capabilities for UAV and UUV support.
Home-ported in Bangor, WA (West Coast) and King's Bay, GA (East Coast).

Key Dates

March 1924: Adoption of submarine warfare insignia.
April 11, 1900: Acquisition of USS Holland.
May 7, 1915: Sinking of RMS Lusitania.
February 18, 1864: HL Hunley sinks USS Housatonic.
October 23, 2004: Commissioning of USS Virginia.

Submarine Home Ports

West Coast SSNs: Pearl Harbor, San Diego, Bremerton, Guam.
East Coast SSNs: Groton, Norfolk.
West Coast Boomers: Bangor, WA.
East Coast Boomers: King's Bay, GA.
West Coast SSGNs: Bangor, WA.
East Coast SSGNs: King's Bay, GA.### Submarine Warfare and Systems Overview
Weapons of the SSGN-726 Ohio Class Guided Missile Submarine include Mk 48 torpedoes (4 torpedo tubes) and UGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles (maximum 154 missiles).
Mission-specific capabilities of the SSGN-726 support Special Operations Forces (SOF) with a significant payload for precision strikes.

Crew and Decommissioning Information

The SSGN-726 is staffed by 15 officers, 144 enlisted personnel, and accommodates 66 SOF members.
Ohio Class Ballistic Missile Submarines set to be decommissioned at a rate of one per year, starting in 2027.

Columbia Class Submarine Features

The Columbia Class submarine is designed with X-shaped stern control surfaces, sail-mounted dive planes, and electric drive systems, replacing Ohio Class ballistic missile submarines.

Emerging Naval Capabilities

UNMANNED UNDERWATER VEHICLE SQUADRON ONE (UVRON1) has been established in Keyport, Washington, to address future underwater threats.

Torpedoes and Missiles

The MK-48 torpedo serves as the primary heavyweight anti-submarine and anti-surface ship torpedo in the US inventory; the ADCAP version features enhanced speed, accuracy, sophisticated sonar, and extended range.
The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is an all-weather, long-range, subsonic cruise missile used for land attack missions.
Submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), such as the Trident II (D5), are deployed in Ohio Class SSBN submarines, each capable of carrying up to 24 missiles with ranges exceeding 4,000 nautical miles.

SONAR Systems

Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) employs acoustic signals for detecting objects underwater and operates in two modes: active and passive.
Active sonar sends sound pulses that reflect off objects, allowing the submarine to determine their direction and distance.
Passive sonar listens for sounds produced by vessels or other submarines, enhancing stealth operations.
Sensors integrated into SONAR systems include spherical arrays, hull arrays, towed arrays, and high-frequency arrays.

Submarine Operations Technology

Periscope depth refers to the submerged position allowing the periscope to extend above water.
Submarines are transitioning from traditional periscopes to photonics masts, which utilize cameras for image and video transmission.
Photonics masts offer advantages in sensor flexibility and optimum space utilization aboard submarines.

Current Usage of Optical Systems

Photonics masts and periscopes facilitate visual detection of ships and aircraft, ranging, infrared detection, communication, and monitoring of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Fire Control Mechanism

Fire control systems analyze data from multiple sources, including SONAR systems and manual inputs, to build a tactical picture for the submarine.
Fire control determines the probable range, course, and speed of contacts using comprehensive raw data to guide weapon deployment.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the US Submarine Force missions, the evolution of submarine warfare insignia, and historical developments in submarine technology. This quiz covers important milestones from the American Revolution to modern strategic deterrence patrols.