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USS Florida Conducts Successful Strike Operational Evaluation

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070522-13
Release Date: 5/22/2007 4:08:00 PM

From Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- USS Florida (SSGN 728) launched four Tomahawk cruise missiles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Eglin Air Force Base land attack test range, May 15 to 17, during its successful Strike Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL).

Since completing conversion in April 2006, Florida has undergone sea and shore trials in preparation for rejoining the fleet and modernization periods in preparation for conducting the strike portion of the OPEVAL.

“We’ve been working toward this for a long time,” said Capt. Mark Bock, SSGN (guided-missile submarine) conversion program manager. "To see the new missile control system, Battle Management Center, Multiple All-Up-Round Canister (MAC) and crew perform so well proves the quality of work carried out by our shipyards, Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNY & IMF), and our industry partner General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB).

"It is also a testament to the government team comprising the fleet, our partners at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) who own, develop and maintain the Tomahawk Cruise Missile Systems program, and to Strategic Systems Programs who designed, produced and fielded the missile control and launch systems," said Bock.

Florida launched a total of three Block IV and one Block III Tomahawk cruise missiles from a single MAC from missile tube three. Two Block IV Tomahawks were launched less than one minute apart on the first day of testing. In a first-of-its-kind demonstration, Florida proved its ability to retarget one of the Block IV missiles and “flex” the other one by having it forgo its primary target to engage a pre-programmed secondary target while in flight. The Block III missile test occurred on the second day of testing, and the final Block IV on the third day.

As another first, all mission planning and strike execution for the last Block IV launch took place aboard Florida, and, as in all Tomahawk flight tests, air safety was carefully planned by the NAVAIR Test team in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration. For safety purposes, the Tomahawk could have been guided by commands from safety chase aircraft. Additionally, alternate safe landing zones were planned along the test missiles’ flight path.

“In utilizing the same MAC for all the shots, we were able to confirm the debris and pressure test data gathered during Florida's two Tomahawks launched in 2003,” said Bock.

Before beginning its refueling and conversion period in August 2003, Florida took part in a demonstration validation exercise that saw the submarine launch two Tomahawks. These shots proved both that the launch debris would not impede the submarine and that the pressure and heat buildup within the MAC would not damage the other missiles.

Each SSGN (guided missile submarine) has its two forward-most missile tubes converted into Dry-Deck Shelter/Advanced SEAL (Sea, Air, and Land) Delivery System (DDS/ASDS) capable Lock-Out Chambers.

The remaining 22 missile tubes utilize MACs to store up to 154 Tomahawk missiles. SSGNs also contain facilities for up to 66 special operation forces (SOF) personnel, and stowage canisters can replace MACs to provide more SOF capability or to extend the submarine’s patrol time.

“This OPEVAL is a big step in the steady march to get Ohio on deployment this fall,” said Rear Adm. William Hilarides, Program Executive Office Submarines.
"Demonstrating the flexibility to retarget in response to time critical strike requests from our embarked SOF forces will help ensure that SSGN is a COCOM [Combatant Commanders] platform of choice. In the near future they will be asking, where are the SSGNs."

The SSGN Conversion Program stood up in 2001 to convert the first four Ohio class ballistic missile submarines into conventionally-armed strike submarines.

PSNY & IMF refueled USS Ohio (SSGN 726) and USS Michigan (SSGN 727) while NNSY refueled USS Florida and USS Georgia (SSGN 729). GDEB Boat carried out the conversion work during the refueling process to minimize the amount of time the submarines spent in the shipyards.

Ohio, Florida, and Michigan have completed conversion. Michigan will host a return to service ceremony on June 12; Georgia is scheduled to complete conversion in late 2007; Ohio is scheduled to deploy for the first time before the end of the year.