USNs Cruise Missile Submarines, the Tomahawk era
With the introduction of Tomahawk, the Sturgeon, Los Angeles, Improved Los Angeles, and Virginia-class SSNS were used to carry the missile in is anti-ship and land attack versions.
For the most part, Tomahawks would be fired from the torpedo tubes. The Improved Los Angels and Virginia-class boats use a Vertical Launch System with twelve Tomahawks.
The Ohio-class SSGN concept converts Trident missile tubes 1 and 2 to be permanently modified for five-man SOF lock-in/lock-out and for attaching ASDS (Advanced SEAL Delivery System) and DDS (Dry Dock Shelters). The remaining 22 Trident missile tubes are modified to accept modules/canisters that can store seven TLAM (Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles) or other strike missiles. However, if the ASDS or DDS are mounted, not all tubes can be used for missiles.
The three configurations are:
Maximum Strike---launch tubes 3-24 are fitted with missile canisters (154 TLAMs); all 154 missiles can be fired within six minutes.
Strike/SOF---launch tubes 5-24 are loaded with 140 TLAMs. Tubes 3 and 4 are loaded with SOF stowage canisters; two ASDS vehicles carried.
Strike/SOF---launch tubes 7-24 are loaded with 126 TLAMs. Tubes 5 and 6 are loaded with additional SOF stowage canisters; Tubes 1-4 are blocked by two DDS.
Additional temporary bunks and hot bunking can provide accommodations for up to 100 SOF personnel for short periods. Normally, 66 SOF personnel are carried.
Plans are in place for the SSGNs to be capable of supporting, launching, and recovering UUVs (Unmanned Undersea Vehicles) and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).
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