The Pentagon showed a very rare video of the replenishment of the nuclear submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741), equipped with Trident II nuclear missiles with a launch range of 12,000 km

Ohio-class nuclear-powered submarines equipped with intercontinental ballistic missiles have been in the spotlight frequently in recent weeks. The U.S. Department of Defense recently showed a video of the replenishment process for the submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741).

Here's What We Know

The US Marine Corps carried out a submarine resupply using two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters. Operation VERTREP was carried out for this purpose. The submarine was in the Philippine Sea at the time of the resupply.

The helicopters lowered the cargo onto the submarine using winches. The US Department of Defence released a clipped video which does not show how the crew delivered the container inside the missile cruiser. This part, though, is the most difficult procedure in Operation VERTREP, as waves regularly roll in on the submarine.

Ohio-class strategic cruisers carry up to 20 Trident II (D5) intercontinental ballistic missiles with a maximum launch range of more than 12,000 km. Each missile can be equipped with several nuclear warheads.

The USS Maine (SSBN-741) is one of 14 Ohio-class submarines of the Trident system. The USS Louisiana (SSBN-743), USS Wyoming (SSBN-742), USS Rhode Island (SSBN-740), and USS Nebraska (SSBN-739) also have submarines in service, USS Maryland (SSBN-738), USS Kentucky (SSBN-737), USS West Virginia (SSBN-736), USS Pennsylvania (SSBN-735), USS Tennessee (SSBN-734), USS Nevada (SSBN-733), USS Alaska (SSBN-732), USS Alabama (SSBN-731) and USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN-730).

Source: DVIDS