Petty Officer 2nd Class Jermaine Ralliford
The USS Michigan, a nuclear submarine known for carrying special-ops teams, arrived in the South Korean city of Busan for what the Navy called a routine port visit last Friday, as tensions between the US and North Korea remain high.
The Michigan is an Ohio-class guided-missile submarine, one of four such US subs designated SSGNs.
In April, the last time the Michigan was in Busan, South Korean media reported it was carrying SEALs to train with South Korean forces to take out the North's nuclear command structure and leader Kim Jong Un, though the US military has said that it does not train for attempts at regime change.
The Michigan used to carry nuclear missiles but is now outfitted with Tomahawk precision-guided missiles.
Here's what it can do.
The USS Michigan was launched on April 26, 1980, and commissioned on September 11, 1982.Lt. Tyheem Sweat/US NavySource: US Navy
It's 560 feet long and 42 feet wide. It also weighs 16,764 metric tons when surfaced and 18,750 metric tons when submerged.Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jermaine Ralliford/US Navy
Source: US Navy
Its S8G PWR nuclear reactor powers two geared turbines that push the sub through the water at 14 mph when surfaced and 23 mph when submerged.DVIDS
Source: US Navy
It was built to carry Trident C-4 missiles but was converted into a guided-missile submarine on June 11, 2007.Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Samuel Souvannason/US Navy
Source: US Navy
The Michigan has 22 tubes that each hold seven Tomahawk missiles, meaning the ship can carry a maximum of 154 Tomahawks.Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Samuel Souvannason/US Navy
Source: US Navy
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
See Also:
- The monster nuclear submarine the US sent to South Korea looks like it may be packed with Navy SEALs
- It looks like a US Navy armada will return to waters near North Korea
- A 'ridiculous mistake' gave North Korea access to the US and South Korea's secret war plans
SEE ALSO: A North Korean defector says the regime is crippled by sanctions and won't last a year
