The USS Ohio, the Navy's oldest guided missile submarine, completed 27 months of refitting and is ready for duty, the Naval Sea Systems Command announced.
A brand-new Virginia-class attack submarine (SSN) today is estimated to cost in the ballpark of $4 to $5.8 billion
Comparison: USS Ohio vs What a New Sub Would Likely Be Better At
Here’s where a brand new sub would likely outperform an older one like Ohio:
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Noise & stealth: Newer subs will generally be quieter and better at avoiding detection than a 1980s-era hull and systems, even with upgrades.
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Sensor suite & detection range: A new design will likely have more advanced sonar and detection capabilities.
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Flexibility & modularity: A new sub may be more modular, supporting more mission types or being upgraded more easily.
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Efficiency & crew workload: Newer designs will likely reduce crew load, have more automation, and more efficient internal systems.
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Weaponry: While Ohio is formidable (154 Tomahawks is a huge strike load), new subs might carry more advanced missiles (hypersonics, future cruise missiles) and integrate unmanned systems to extend reach.
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Survivability / signature reduction: New subs would better manage signatures (acoustic, magnetic, etc.) and include newer countermeasures.
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Future-proofing: A new sub will more easily accept upgrades, adapt to new warfare domains (e.g. unmanned underwater systems, AI, networked warfare) than a retrofitted older one.
