USS Michigan (SSBN-727 / SSGN-727)

History of USS Michigan (SSBN-727 / SSGN-727)

During the Cold War (1947-1991), the West engaged in an arms race with the Soviet Union, including nuclear-powered attack submarines. In the 1970s, America ordered a new class to fill the role, which would become a strong Ohio class group. While about 24 lessons were originally planned, only 18 were completed and 6 were cancelled.

The aircraft carrier USS Michigan (SSGN-727) survived the annual budget review.

Ordered February 28, 1975 (as USS Michigan (SSBN-727), Ballistic Missile Submarine), built by General Dynamics Electric Boat, laid April 4, 1977. April 1980, officially commissioned September 11, 1982. The ship is based at Kitsap Naval Station in Bangor, Washington, and is active today (2017) in the U.S. submarine fleet.

Her motto is "Tuebor" - ("I will defend myself").

At the time of construction, the ship displaces 16,765 tons when surfaced and 18,750 tons underwater. She is 560 feet long, 42 feet wide and has a draft of up to 38 feet. Power comes from a single S8G PWR series nuclear reactor connected to 2 geared turbines, driving 60,000 horsepower to a single shaft. The auxiliary engine provides 325 horsepower when in use. At speeds above 25 knots, the boat can descend to a depth of 800 feet.

There are 140 crew members on board, including up to 15 officer-level service members. Armament consists of 4 x 21" (533mm) torpedo tubes, and the ship is also certified to fire BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles (154 in total).

USS Michigan (in her SSBN camouflage) was converted to SSGN (missile submarine) in 2007 while retaining the same hull number. Prior to this work, the ship had completed dozens of standard undersea patrols to protect U.S. interests abroad. Their first SSGN deployment was completed in December 2009.

In June 2010, she was dispatched to South Korean waters in response to a Chinese missile test in the region. In April 2017, she again responded to a North Korean missile test in South Korean waters (where she was at the time of writing - 2017).

She joined the USS Carl Vinson deterrent force deployed to the region.

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