Published Mar. 08, 2002/Tribune & Georgian

Young emphasized utility of SSGNs
By Jill Helton

A visiting admiral underscored the importance of the Trident conversion plan in his speech at the monthly meeting of the Camden-Kings Bay Council of Navy League.

Rear Adm. Charles B. Young, vice commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command, said that converting Tridents to Nuclear-Powered Guided-Missile Submarines (SSGNs) would enable the submarines to stay deployed 70 percent of the time. This was a major selling point, said Young.  There would be only a four- to five-day changeover prior between the two submarine crews.

Top military and political figures also considered the added utility that the converted subs would bring. The SSGN would include a 65-foot detachable submarine that brings added mobility to special operations forces.

In addition to this feature, said Young, new payload options are being developed to further exploit the SSGN for a variety of missions.  “It’s just going to have a tremendous amount of capability,” he said.  Young explained the Naval Systems Sea Command as a corporation of six military organizations tasked with conceiving, developing, scheduling, building and refitting military ships. There are warfare centers and naval shipyards under its purview.

“We have world-class engineers and scientists in that organization,” said Young. There also are a host of other professionals from environmentalists to attorneys.

Naval Sea Systems Command has been forced in recent years to operate like a business by keeping costs low and efficiency at the highest level. Young said it is succeeding.

“We are saving money and getting really good performance on ships,” he said.

Young, however, acknowledged that the Navy is limited by its budget and that the current rate of ship building will not be adequate to fulfill future missions.

“We have a force structure problem,” he said.  The submarine force will remain at the forefront of Naval forces well into the future because they offer many unique features that fit well into our military strategies and goals for the future, Young added.  Continued support from the public will continue to be important to push through the SSGN and other key Navy projects, he said.  “We really appreciate the support you folks provide for us. It is invaluable,” said Young. “We really, really need your voice.” Although the first converted Trident will not be available for deployment until 2007, Young emphasized that the SSGN holds a great deal of promise.

“The SSGN is really the only one that will turn war fighting on its head,” Young said. “It really is a success story on your submarine force.”