Prest-O Change-O: 19 New SSGNs!

Much in the same way that the SECNAV in 1975 created 15 new “cruisers” from thin air by reclassifying DLGs to CGs to gain a two-cruiser lead over the Russkis, the Navy has just dubbed 19 planned Blocks V and VI Virginia class SSNs as SSGNs to fill the gap left by the four retiring TLAM-commando boats. The first of four Ohio-class SSGN conversions, USS Georgia is pending decommissioning after 42 years of service, with her sisters Ohio, Michigan and Florida soon to follow. Each was given a $1 billion conversion between 2002 and 2008 to carry up to four platoons of SEALs (64 operators and two support ratings) and two Dry Dock Shelters topside in addition to 154 VLS Tomahawks and a dozen torpedoes for their four tubes. Basic math gives you 616 TLAM tubes leaving the fleet in a very short period. Add to that the fact that the 22 122-cell Ticonderoga-class CGs are being replaced by 96-cell Burke DDGs by 2028, and you see how fast this is going south. The Navy’s 19 planned Block V/VI…