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SSGN Provides Powerful Tool for Navy SEALs

2/7/2003
Story Number: NNS030207-09

By Chief Journalist David Nagle, Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

ABOARD USS FLORIDA (NNS) -- During the nation's war on terrorism, Navy SEALs (Sea, Air and Land) have been the force of choice for a variety of missions, from direct action in the mountains of Afghanistan to boarding ships in the Arabian Gulf.

As the Navy shapes itself to support future conflicts, it does so realizing special warfare will continue to play an increasingly greater role.

With that idea in mind, the Navy is converting four ballistic-missile submarines to guided-missile submarines (SSGNs). In addition to their ability to launch conventional weapons, the SSGNs will also provide Navy Special Operations Forces (SOF) the ability to conduct clandestine missions for extended periods of time.

The SSGN conversion program was designed using the Navy SEAL motto "to equip the man, not man the equipment." And while the SSGN is bigger than the usual "tool" in the SEAL toolbox, it provides a bigger than usual payoff for the Navy's elite warriors.

"The SSGN increases our arsenal and our ability to fight," said Chief Warrant Officer William Snow, a Navy SEAL working on the SSGN project. "It brings a lot more flexibility and a lot more fight for the Navy as a whole."

Navy SOF have operated from submarines since World War II. However, because of the limited space aboard the smaller fast-attack submarines, SEALs found themselves sleeping and working wherever they could find an empty spot.

Because skills degrade quickly in such a confined environment, SEAL on-station time aboard current Navy submarines is also limited. But, with special operations support as a primary role of the SSGNs, all that is about to change.

"This is a good platform to work off," said Gunner's Mate 1st Class (SEAL) Dan Mick of Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWG) 4 in Norfolk, Va. "The SSGN offers a lot more comfort and more space to work and train than the fast attacks did."

Mick and other NSWG-4 SEALs were recently aboard USS Florida (SSGN 728) to participate in Giant Shadow, a Naval Submarine Force/Naval Sea Systems Command experiment to explore the potential capabilities of the SSGN.

SSGNs can support 60-plus SEALs - more than double the amount a fast-attack submarine can support. The SSGN will be configured to support either the Advanced SEAL Delivery System or the SEAL Delivery Vehicle, which can clandestinely insert SEALs into different areas. In addition, the SSGN will feature improved communications capability and the ability to launch and recover unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) that can be used to resupply SEALs operating in the area.

In order to support SEALs for a sustained period of time, the SSGNs will also be equipped with additional exercise and cardiovascular equipment and a virtual reality laser weapons range to allow SEALs to maintain their targeting skills and distance vision in the tight confines of the submarine.

Giant Shadow gave NSWG-4 SEALs an opportunity to learn about the capabilities the SSGN would provide them.

As part of the experiment scenario, SEALs launched from the deck of Florida using inflatable rafts and "infiltrated" a remote island to gather intelligence on a suspected chemical weapons facility. The SEALs also planted ground sensors, used a UUV to send soil samples back for testing and reported their findings from the island in real-time via an unmanned aerial vehicle overhead.

"Communications is one of the hardest things in any situation," said Snow, the NSWG-4 assistant training officer. "This technology will bridge the gaps so we can quickly send large bits of information to the decisionmakers who want a real time picture."

The conflicts of the future won't be the same as they are today, Snow added. While the technology offered by the SSGN will provide an increased advantage, human beings are still more important than the hardware.

"Future conflicts will require someone with "eyes on" to deliver information that can tell the decision makers what is going on," Snow said. "We can help in that regard."

Naval Special Warfare is already postured for a consistent presence around the world. The SSGN will give these global warriors another tool to maintain that presence, anywhere, anytime.