- The Ohio-class submarine USS Michigan conducted high-stakes national security missions that leveraged the use of underwater drones in hostile environments, earning a Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) for its exceptional service.
- The Michigan's operations in the Western Pacific advanced naval capabilities, supported special operations forces and enhanced warfighting readiness, underscoring the growing role of UUVs in modern undersea warfare.
- Converted from ballistic missile submarines, Ohio-class SSGNs like the Michigan are multi-mission platforms capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, deploying UUVs, and supporting up to 102 special operators for covert missions.
- The Michigan's use of UUVs aligns with the Navy's broader strategy to integrate uncrewed systems for tasks like intelligence gathering, mine countermeasures, and seabed exploration, with ongoing development of advanced UUVs for classified missions.
In a series of covert operations spanning from October 2022 to January 2024, the United States Navy's Ohio-class guided missile submarine USS Michigan demonstrated groundbreaking use of uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) in hostile and challenging environments.
The submarine, one of four converted Ohio-class SSGNs (cruise-missile submarines) in the Navy, executed at least three high-stakes national security missions and supported special operations forces, earning a Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) for its “extremely meritorious service.”
The award, announced in December 2023, underscores the growing importance of UUVs in modern undersea warfare and highlights the Michigan’s role in advancing naval capabilities in the strategically critical Western Pacific. (Related: American military contractor Kratos Defense and Security completes first test flight of stealth combat drone.)
The NUC citation, visible in a leaked photo of the text from the award ceremony, praised the Michigan’s crew for their "superb operational planning, risk management, and precise tactical execution."
The submarine's missions, conducted in support of high-priority national and theater objectives, significantly enhanced warfighting readiness and advanced emerging capabilities in naval special warfare and undersea operations. While the Navy has not disclosed specific details about the missions or the types of UUVs employed, the award highlights the Michigan's ability to operate in contested environments and its contributions to evolving tactics and technologies.
Submarines – including subs with drones – continue to play pivotal role for U.S. national security
The Ohio-class SSGNs, originally designed as ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), were converted in the early 2000s to serve as multi-mission platforms capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, supporting special operations and deploying UUVs.
With 22 vertical launch tubes capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawks, as well as advanced command and control systems, these submarines are among the most versatile and in-demand assets in the U.S. Navy.
Rear Adm. Rick Seif, then-head of Submarine Group Seven, emphasized the strategic value of the Michigan's presence in the Indo-Pacific in a 2022 statement.
"Having Michigan in theater adds to our already deep bench of undersea warfare capabilities throughout the region," he said. "Their presence demonstrates our continued commitment to providing maritime security and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific."
Seif, now Commander of the Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, has witnessed firsthand the evolving role of submarines in countering regional threats, particularly from China and North Korea.
The Michigan’s use of UUVs aligns with the Navy’s broader push to integrate uncrewed systems into its operations. These vehicles can perform a range of tasks, from intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to mine countermeasures and seabed exploration.
In contested areas, UUVs can discreetly gather critical data on adversary capabilities, map underwater terrain, or even recover sensitive materials. The Navy has also been developing larger, more advanced UUVs capable of mine-laying, electronic warfare and kinetic strikes, though many of these programs remain classified.
The Michigan's NUC also highlights its role in supporting special operations forces. The submarine can accommodate up to 66 special operators, with surge capacity for up to 102 operators, and is equipped to launch and recover swimmer delivery vehicles. This capability allows the Michigan to function as an underwater command center for covert missions, including intelligence gathering and direct action raids. Such operations are particularly valuable in the Indo-Pacific, where tensions with China and North Korea have heightened the need for advanced undersea capabilities.
The Michigan's achievements come at a pivotal moment for the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet. The service is working to replace its aging Ohio-class SSBNs with the next-generation Columbia-class submarines, but delays and cost overruns have complicated the transition. Meanwhile, plans for a new "Large Payload Submarine" to replace the Ohio SSGNs remain in the early stages, with deployment unlikely before the late 2030s.
In the interim, the Navy is exploring options to extend the service lives of its Ohio-class submarines, recognizing their unique capabilities and strategic value.
Watch this Dec. 12 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, speculates on whether the U.S. military is testing top secret underwater drone carriers.
This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.
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