Perhaps the oft-overlooked part of the submarine was its powerful array of sensors which allowed the crew to remain undetected and track potential threats in turn. The USS Ohio was fitted with the BQQ-6 series sonar at the bow while a BQR-19 system handled navigation. The BQS-13 was an active sonar array while the TB-16 was a towed sonar array. Altogether, these systems - in conjunction with their well-trained operators - allowed the USS Ohio to be a highly-feared vessel of the deep for some time - a level of respect carried over to this day.
After her SSGN modifications, the USS Ohio replaced her Trident missile stores with Tomahawk cruise missiles - this battery consisting of 22 launch tubes each fitting up to seven cruise missiles for a total of 154 missiles, a massive amount of firepower for a single vessel. The cruise missile could be used to engage surface targets at very long ranges, out of the range of enemy defenses, and the Ohio could even remain submerged during launch.
The USS Ohio formally underwent trails throughout the summer of 1981 before being handed over to the US Navy in October of that same year to which the vessel began formal operations at sea. She was brought up to speed throughout 1982, conducting various voyages and undergoing various tests, particularly of her launch facilities. A refit period in 1993 saw her updated with modern systems to keep the vessel viable and as potent as ever. More patrols then followed until the new millennium which saw several of the Ohio-class boats revised to the guided missile submarine (SSGN) role. Since completion of this modification in 2006, the USS Ohio has remained in active USN service, continuing the role of deterrent the world over.
Submarines like the USS Ohio can also be used in clandestine operations, inserting or extracting special forces elements such as Navy SEALs.
Update July 2012: On July 11, 2012, the USS Ohio (SSGN 726) completed her fourth Major Maintenance Period (MMP) since her 2006 conversion from a ballistic missile submarine to a guided-missile submarine. Ohio entered the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility in mid-April (2012) to which the boat spent 65 days in dry dock (an SSGN requires a MMP for every 12 months of deployment). The combined efforts of the civilian workmen and the Ohio's Blue and Gold crews accomplished the job. Repair and upgrades during the MMP were on a number of systems including sonar, radar, communication and navigation suites. Also standard checks and repairs were made on the superstructure, and controlling tanks for depth and conditioning units. Additional systems upgraded were water planes and valves used for seawater and ventilation.
USS Ohio has since returned to active duty and is recertified for combat.
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