USS Michigan (SSGN-727 / SSBN-727)

Guided Missile Nuclear Attack Submarine [ 1982 ]

USS Michigan began life as a ballistic missile submarine before seeing conversion to become a guided-missile platform.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/30/2021 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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During the Cold War years (1947-1991), the West was caught up in an arms race with the Soviet Union that included nuclear-powered attack submarines. In the 1970s, a new class was ordered by the United States for the role, this to become the powerful Ohio-class group. While some 24 of the class were originally planned, just eighteen were completed with six cancelled. Among the group that survived yearly budget reviews was USS Michigan (SSGN-727).

Ordered on February 28th, 1975 (as USS Michigan (SSBN-727), a ballistic missile submarine), the boat was constructed by General Dynamics Electric Boat and saw her keel laid down on April 4th, 1977. She was launched to sea on April 26th, 1980 and saw formal commissioning on September 11th, 1982. Based out of Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, Washington, the boat retains an active presence in the American submarine fleet today (2017). She fights under the motto of "Tuebor" - ("I Will Defend").

As built, the boat displaces 16,765 tons when surfaced and 18,750 tons when submerged. She features a length of 560 feet, a beam of 42 feet and a draught down to 38 feet. Power is from a single S8G PWR series nuclear reactor toed to 2 x geared turbines driving 60,000 horsepower to a single shaft. An auxiliary motor provides 325 horsepower when used. Speeds reach more than 25 knots and the boat can head down to depths of 800 feet. Onboard are 140 enlisted personnel with up to 15 officer-level service members. Armament consists of 4 x 21" (533mm) torpedo tubes and the vessel is also cleared to fire the BGM-109 "Tomahawk" cruise missile (154 total can be carried).

USS Michigan (in her SSBN guise) was converted in 2007 to become SSGN (guided missile submarine) while she retained the same designating hull number. Prior to this work the boat had completed dozens of standard patrols under the sea to maintain American interests abroad. Her first SSGN deployment was completed in December of 2009. In June of 2010, she was sent to South Korean waters in response to Chinese missile testing in the region. In April of 2017, she was, once again, located in South Korean waters in response to North Korean missile testing (where she remains as of this writing - 2017). She joins the USS Carl Vinson deterrent force sent to the region.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

1982

Origin

United States

Status

COMMISSIONED
In Active Service.

Complement

155
PERSONNEL

General Dynamics Electric Boat - USA

(View other Ship-Related Manufacturers)

Class

Ohio-class

Number-in-Class

18
VESSELS

Ships-in-Class

USS Ohio (SSBN-726/SSGN-726); USS Michigan (SSBN-727/SSGN-727); USS Florida (SSBN-728/SSGN-728); USS Georgia (SSBN-729/SSGN-729); USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN-730); USS Alabama (SSBN-731); USS Alaska (SSBN-732); USS Nevada (SSBN-733); USS Tennessee (SSBN-734); USS Pennsylvania (SSBN-735); USS West Virginia (SSBN-736); USS Kentucky (SSBN-737); USS Maryland (SSBN-738); USS Nebraska (SSBN-739); USS Rhode Island (SSBN-740); USS Wyoming (SSBN-741); USS Louisiana (SSBN-742)

United States

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Submerged Attack
Traveling under the surface to search, track, and / or engage or reconnoiter areas.

✓ Maritime Patrol
Active patroling of vital waterways and maritime areas; can also serve as local deterrence against airborne and seaborne threats.

✓ Fleet Support
Serving in support (either firepower or material) of the main surface fleet in Blue Water environments.

Length

560.0 ft
170.69 m

Beam

42.0 ft
12.80 m

Draught

38.0 ft
11.58 m

Displacement

16,765
tons

Disp.Submerged

18,750
tons

Installed Power: 1 x S8G PWR nuclear reactor feeding 2 x Steam turbines developing 60,000 horsepower and driving 1 x Shaft; 1 x Auxiliary motor developing 325 horsepower.

Surface Speed

12.0 kts
(13.8 mph)

Submerged Speed

25.0 kts
(28.8 mph)

Range

Essentially Unlimited

ORIGINAL SSBN CONFIGURATION:

4 x 533mm torpedo tubes (Mk48 torpedoes).

24 x Trident I/II SLBM (missiles).

SSGN MODIFICATION:

4 x 533mm torpedo tubes (Mk 48 torpedoes)

154 x BGM-109 Tomahawk surface-to-surface cruise missiles.

Supported Types

Graphical image of an aircraft aerial torpedo

Graphical image of an air launched cruise missile weapon

(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)

None.

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