Physics of the Ohio Class Submarine

THE PHYSICS BEHIND AMERICA'S SSBN

Few things showcase the limits of engineering. A modern submarine is one of those. The US military alone has funneled billions into the research, development, construction, and operation of submarines due to their near invincibility in war. One notable type is the Ohio class submarine, the current class of SSBN (nuclear-powered, ballistic missile submersible ship). Even compared to other submarines, the Ohio class comes with several unique systems due to it's ability to end the world as we know it.

A submarine's main advantage and purpose is to deploy weapons in a manner that keeps the weapons platform hidden. The earliest of submarines would remain hidden by sight only, creating a need to innovate quieter subs once sonar was developed. Radar and other surface detection technologies forced submarines to extend submergence time. Further improvements to detection technology required submarines to become even quieter as well as dive deeper. Eventually, the nuclear arms race made its way into submarining. An enemy with the ability to launch a few nukes from a mobile, hidden location was more dangerous than one with thousands of known warheads. Though "why not both?" was the attitude of the USA and USSR.

IMAGE SOURCE: Submarine Group Nine, Facebook

The purpose of this website is to demonstrate the scientific principles behind the overwhelming complexity of the Ohio class submarine. Scrolling down, these principles start with the big three functions that define a submarine, while even further down leads to the equipment that allows the Ohio class to accomplish its mission.

PROPULSION

When submarines first came into their own in the early 20th century, they were mostly surface dwellers powered by a diesel engine and only dived when in danger, switching to battery power. Nuclear power changed all of that by removing the noise of a diesel and adding a long-term energy solution that works underwater.

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BALLAST

Submarines are the only type of ship's designed to sink on purpose. But they must also have the ability to come back up. Adjusting ballast is the main separation between submarines and other ships and is so important that much of the on board equipment is dedicated to this function. The Ohio class has 4 major ballast systems, all of which are described in this section.

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TURNING A CASUAL SUBMARINE INTO A WARSHIP

The pages below describe the equipment that the Ohio class must have to increase underwater endurance, survivability, and the ability to send it's primary weapon at a moment's notice. Everything on board is designed with a worst case scenario in mind, perfectly possible during times of war, especially considering that the Ohio class isn't well equipped to go on the offensive against other ships or aircraft.

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (EDS)

Starting with power generation, ending at loads, the EDS is designed to make electrical continuity almost impossible to break. Though backup systems exist even for total loss of power, electricity makes it easier to perform worst-case scenario functions such as preventing a reactor meltdown, removing floodwater, a backup source of propulsion, removing unsafe air, and even lighting, a necessary factor in helping the crew deal with emergencies.

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ATMOSPHERE CONTROL

The Ohio class regularly makes patrols that approach lengths of 3 months. It is possible that the ship remains submerged the entire time. This isolation makes it impossible for the ship to participate in the natural cycles of the environment that maintain proper atmosphere conditions. Couple this with the occasional emergency, such as a fire or radioactive contamination, and many different types of equipment become necessary.

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WATER PRODUCTION

For the amount of time the Ohio class stays at sea, it is impractical to store the amount of freshwater that will be required, and isn't necessary thanks to abundant nuclear energy. Nowadays, seawater is so easily turned into freshwater that the crew has to sacrifice very little in luxury compared to submarining of old.

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MISSILE LAUNCH

The entire reason the Ohio class exists. Thus this page covers the most important system on the ship. Too bad you can only have a taste, as most of the information is not authorized for release.

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THE PHYSICS BEHIND AMERICA'S SSBN

PROPULSION

CONTROL SURFACES

BALLAST

TURNING A CASUAL SUBMARINE INTO A WARSHIP

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (EDS)

ATMOSPHERE CONTROL

WATER PRODUCTION

MISSILE LAUNCH