Missiles Away: USS FLORIDA (SSGN 728) conducts successful tests

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  • By By Team Submarine Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The USS FLORIDA (SSGN 728) launched four TOMAHAWK Cruise Missiles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Eglin Air Force Base land attack test range during its successful Strike Operational Evaluation between May 15 and 17, 2007. 

FLORIDA launched a total of three Block IV and one Block III TOMAHAWK cruise missiles from a single MAC in missile tube #3. Two Block IV TOMAHAWK missiles 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 after having "flexed" the missile inflight to a pre-programmed secondary target. 

The Block III missile test occurred on the second day of testing with the final Block IV the next day. As another first, all mission planning and strike execution for the last Block IV launch took place aboard FLORIDA. 

The Navy provided Explosive Ordnance Disposal response from Patuxant River, Md., and from the Naval Support Activity, Panama City. The 40th Flight Test Squadron here provided rapid response capability with their UH-1 helicopters.

The 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, Tyndall AFB, provided telemetry and communications with E-9A aircraft and the 91st Air Refueling Squadron, MacDill AFB, provided airborne tanker support.
 
InDyne, Inc., and the 96th Communications Group operated the Eglin Test and Training Range radars, tracking, communications, photo imagery, and other range services.
Additional support provided at Eglin AFB by the 46th Range Management Squadron, 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 46th Weather Squadron, 46th Operations Support Squadron, 46th Maintenance Operations Squadron, 46th Munitions Flight, 846th Test Support Squadron, 96th Civil Engineering Squadron EOD Flight, 96th Transportation Squadron, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the Air Armament Center Safety Office. 

Since completing conversion in April 2006, FLORIDA has undergone sea and shore trials and modernization periods in preparation for conducting the Strike portion of the OPEVAL. 

"We've been working toward this for a long time," SSGN Conversion Program Manager Captain Mark Bock said, "and to see the new missile control system, Battle Management Center, the Multiple All-Up-Round Canister (MAC), and the crew perform so well proves the quality of work carried out by our shipyards, Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and our industry partner General Dynamics Electric Boat." 

He said it is also a testament to the government team comprised of the Fleet, partners at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) who own, develop, and maintain the TOMAHAWK Cruise Missile systems, and to Strategic Systems Programs who designed, produced, and fielded the missile control and launch systems. 

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 in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration. For safety purposes, Tomahawk could have been guided by commands from safety chase aircraft. Additionally, alternate safe landing zones were planned along the test missile's flight path. 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," Brock said. Before beginning its refueling and conversion period in August 2003, FLORIDA took part in a demonstration validation exercised that saw the submarine launch two Block III 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 has its two forward-most missile tubes converted into Dry-Deck Shelter / Advanced SEAL Delivery System (DDS/ASDS) capable Lock-Out Chambers. The remaining twenty-two missile tubes utilize MACs to store up to one hundred fifty-four TOMAHAWK missiles. The SSGN also contains facilities to accommodate to sixty-six Special Operation Forces (SOF) personnel. Additionally, stowage canisters can replace MACs to provide more SOF capability or extend the submarine's patrol time.

"The OHIO Class SSGNs represent a new capability for the Navy," said Rear Admiral William Hilarides, Program Executive Officer, Submarine. "Our submarines have been associated with Special Forces since World War II and they have been firing missiles since the 1950s. However, we have never had the ability to host so many missiles and SOF aboard a single clandestine, long-range, fast, stealthy platform."

The SSGN Conversion Program stood up in 2001 to convert the first four OHIO Class (SSBN 726) ballistic missile submarine into conventionally-armed strike submarines. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard refueled OHIO and MICHIGAN while Norfolk Naval Shipyard refueled FLORIDA and GEORGIA (SSGN 729). General Dynamics Electric Boat carried out the conversion work during the refueling process to minimize the amount of time the submarines spent in the shipyards.