The U.S. is considering extending the life of Ohio nuclear-powered Trident submarines
The U.S. Navy may extend the life of strategic missile submarine cruisers of the Trident system.
Here's What We Know
We are talking about Ohio-class submarines. One of them is called Rhode Island and recently entered the Mediterranean Sea. Trident system submarines are carriers of Trident ballistic missiles. In particular, on board the vessel mentioned Rhode Island can be up to two hundred nuclear warheads.
Extending the service life of the Ohio nuclear submarines will allow the United States to facilitate the transition to Columbia-class submarines. They will be able to carry 16 Trident II D5 missiles. The first submarine is due in 2031.
Columbia-class submarine (rendering)
The U.S. Navy is considering an 18-month repair schedule for aging submarines that would extend their service life by three years. Rear Admiral Scott Pappano, executive director of the strategic submarine program, said.
According to him, the toughest period for the U.S. Navy will be the beginning of the next decade when Ohio submarines begin to retire and Columbia submarines will come to replace them (one per year). During this period, older ships may experience "component problems" and new submarines may experience "problems in the early stages of operation."
Source: The Defense Post