Latest news with #USSKentucky
Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Reveals Movements of Navy's Nuclear-Armed Submarines
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States has disclosed the movements of its submarines—armed with nuclear missiles—for the second time this month, demonstrating its deterrent capability. The Submarine Group Ten, which oversees operations of the Atlantic ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) fleet, told Newsweek that it could not discuss submarine schedules or deployments because of operational security concerns. The unit is assigned with six SSBNs. Why It Matters The U.S. Navy operates a fleet of 14 nuclear-powered Ohio-class SSBNs, each capable of carrying up to 20 ballistic missiles. Eight of these submarines are based at Bangor, Washington, while the remaining six are homeported at Kings Bay, Georgia. The SSBN fleet forms part of the U.S.'s "nuclear triad," alongside strategic bombers and land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles to deter adversaries. The U.S. Navy rarely publicizes SSBN operations as the submarines are designed for deterrent patrols and launching missiles if necessary. One of the SSBNs, USS Kentucky, conducted an escort drill with helicopters in the Pacific, the Navy said on May 2. What To Know In a set of undated photos shared by the Submarine Group Ten on Facebook on May 15, USS West Virginia was seen making final preparations to depart its home port—Kings Bay—for "routine operations" in support of the country's strategic mission. The submarine was operated by its "Blue crew," one of two crew teams that alternate manning it. This two-crew system maximizes the SSBN's availability and reduces the number of submarines needed to meet strategic requirements, according to the U.S. Navy. This marked the second publicized departure of the West Virginia in more than two months. The submarine—manned by its "Gold crew"—was seen preparing to depart on March 12 for a strategic mission, according to photos released by the Submarine Group Ten. Meanwhile, USS Tennessee, another SSBN assigned to the Submarine Group Ten, was seen exiting a dry dock at Kings Bay following "months of hard work" of maintenance, according to an undated short video released on the unit's Facebook page on Monday. The Submarine Group Ten told Newsweek that its mission is to deliver "combat ready forces" by ensuring its submarines "are properly manned, trained, equipped and certified to conduct decisive combat operations around the world." On the West Coast, the Submarine Group Nine announced that USS Henry M. Jackson, one of eight SSBNs assigned to the unit, returned to its home port at Bangor on May 15 following a routine strategic deterrent patrol, according to photos released on Thursday. Strategic deterrence relies on a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent force, said the Pacific Northwest-based unit, which oversees submarine operations in the region. The United States Navy ballistic missile submarine USS Henry M. Jackson arriving at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Washington following a routine strategic deterrent patrol on May 15. The United States Navy ballistic missile submarine USS Henry M. Jackson arriving at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Washington following a routine strategic deterrent patrol on May 15. Lt. Zachary Anderson/U.S. Navy What People Are Saying The U.S. Submarine Group Ten wrote on Facebook: "This is a testament to [Team Kings Bay's] commitment to keeping our fleet ready and capable. This Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine [USS Tennessee] is one step closer to resuming its vital role in our nation's strategic deterrence mission." The U.S. Submarine Group Nine said on its webpage: "Ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) serve as an undetectable launch platform for intercontinental ballistic missiles. They are considered the survivable leg of the strategic deterrent triad, the others being long-range manned aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the U.S. SSBN fleet will conduct any test launches of its submarine-launched ballistic missiles, which can deliver nuclear warheads to targets more than 7,400 miles away, according to the Federation of American Scientists.
Newsweek
07-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Photos Show US Helicopters Escorting Nuclear Submarine
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A United States submarine, USS Kentucky, which is capable of firing nuclear missiles, carried out an armed air escort exercise with helicopters in the Pacific Ocean last month. Why It Matters The Kentucky is one of the 14 Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines in service with the U.S. Navy. Each submarine, often referred to as a "boomer," can carry up to 20 ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads, capable of striking targets over 7,456 miles away. The "boomers" are the most survivable leg of the U.S. nuclear triad, which includes strategic bombers and land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to the Pentagon, because of the extreme difficulty in detecting submarines on deterrent patrols underwater at any given time. The U.S. Air Force, which is responsible for the other two legs of the country's nuclear triad, validated the readiness and capability of its nuclear-capable bomber and intercontinental ballistic missile fleets through an exercise and a test last month. What To Know A pair of U.S. Army AH-64 helicopters and a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter, as well as a submarine support vessel, were seen escorting the Kentucky during the routine armed air escort drill on April 24, according to a set of photos released by the U.S. Navy on May 2. U.S. Army AH-64 helicopters, left and right, a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter, middle, and a submarine support vessel escort the ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky during a routine armed air escort exercise at an undisclosed... U.S. Army AH-64 helicopters, left and right, a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter, middle, and a submarine support vessel escort the ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky during a routine armed air escort exercise at an undisclosed location on April 24, 2025. More Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan Riley/U.S. Navy It was not clear where the exercise took place, the U.S. Navy saying that it was held at an "undisclosed location." It was also unclear whether the Kentucky, which is homeported at Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, Washington state, carried any missiles during the drill. It was the first armed air escort exercise employing helicopters, the U.S. Navy Submarine Group 9, which exercises administrative control authority for assigned submarine commands and units in the Pacific Northwest region, revealed in a Facebook post on May 2. "Integration between services is a force multiplier, allowing our strategic forces to deter, and if necessary, defeat our adversaries in the maritime domain," the post read, adding that the drill was built upon past events to enhance interoperability during multi-platform operations. This was not the first time America's nuclear-capable submarines have conducted an armed air escort exercise. On May 6 last year, the Kentucky's sister ship, USS Nebraska, transited the Strait of San Juan de Fuca in Washington state escorted by an A-10 attack aircraft. Such force protection exercises come as the U.S. Navy is sending its ballistic missile submarines to foreign countries for visits, according to the Federation of American Scientists, a message of deterrence conveyed by the increased visibility of the subs. One such visit was conducted by the Kentucky, which arrived at Busan in South Korea on July 18, 2023. The submarine was seen escorted by destroyers USS John Finn and USS Ralph Johnson as it sailed to the port, official released photos show. U.S. Navy ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky, middle, is escorted by destroyers USS John Finn, front, and USS Ralph Johnson, back, during a trip to Busan in South Korea for a port visit on July... U.S. Navy ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky, middle, is escorted by destroyers USS John Finn, front, and USS Ralph Johnson, back, during a trip to Busan in South Korea for a port visit on July 18, 2023. More Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Samantha Oblander/U.S. Navy What People Are Saying The U.S. Navy Submarine Group 9 said: "The U.S. Navy's fleet of ballistic missile submarines are the most-survivable leg of the nuclear triad. As the tip of the spear for strategic deterrence, [ballistic missile submarine] operations demonstrate the flexibility, survivability, readiness, resolve, global reach and capability of our undersea force." Tom Shugart, a former U.S. Navy submariner and an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, told Newsweek: "I'm confident that [the naval escorts] are sufficient to ensure the security of our [ballistic missile submarines], as they are arguably our most vital naval platforms." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the American ballistic missile submarine fleet will conduct any port visits in the Western Pacific Ocean this year, where nuclear-armed China and North Korea continue to pose threats to the U.S. and its allies, Japan and South Korea.
