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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 Virginias will be able to carry 40 Tomahawks in a series of two six-cell Virginia Payload Tubes forward and four 7-cell Virginia Payload Modules amidships in addition to their 25~ torpedo tube launched weapons, theoretically backfilling 760 VLS TLAM slots back to the tally sheet starting with the planned USS Oklahoma (SSN now SSGN-802), covering (by 2038!) the cells lost on the retired Ohios and four-ish Ticos.

A rendered image of the Virginia-class Block V attack submarine, in this case, the future USS Oklahoma (SSGN-802). (Courtesy of General Dynamics)

The thing is, the four Ohio SSGN conversions were to backfill the massive loss of 128 TLAM cells when the battleships were laid up and 1,528 TLAM cells when the Spruance-class destroyers were retired early.

Plus, the capability to land more than a 16-man SEAL platoon (and even that is a stretch) via submarine will be all but gone when the Ohio-class SSGNs are retired, as the Virginias only have a nine-man lockout and very limited “spare” berthing (still using hot racking and torpedo cots to accomidate around 135 crew members using roughly 94–95 bunks), compared to the dual lockouts on the leaving SSGNs and their room for as many as 66 embarked riders when serving as a frogman bus.

Keep in mind that the Navy just has six portable Dry Dock Shelters needed for SEAL mini-sub operations. This wasn’t that big of a deal with just four SSGNs currently, but moving forward, it just seems like a skill set and capability is on the bubble– no pun intended.

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 18, 2021) — The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777) conducts operations off the coast of Oahu, Hawai’i. Note the precious DDS on her deck. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alex Perlman/Released)

Also, it is clear the Block V/VI Virginias need to be their own class at this point. While all 18 Ohios, SSBN and SSGN, shared the same hull, propulsion, and dimensions, this new Oklahoma-class SSGN will be significantly larger (10,200 tons, 460 feet oal) than Virginia herself (7,900 tons, 377 feet in length), going beyond the anticipated strike mission creep that comes with being a TLAM slinger.

“Reclassifying Virginia Payload Module-equipped submarines as SSGNs accurately reflects the extraordinary strike capacity, operational flexibility, and global reach these platforms bring to the Fleet,” said the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Daryl Caudle.