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In U.S. Navy usage, an SSN is a nuclear-powered attack submarine built for broad undersea warfare, while an SSGN is configured to emphasize conventional land attack and support for special operations forces (SOF). The distinction is one of mission emphasis and payload arrangement—not a strict division of weapons: SSNs can launch Tomahawk cruise missiles, and Ohio-class SSGNs also carry torpedoes.
The comparison is changing. The Navy announced on 3 August 2026 that 19 planned Virginia-class submarines equipped with a Virginia Payload Module (VPM) will be designated SSGNs. The first, SSGN 803, is estimated for delivery in fiscal year 2029; the four Ohio-class boats are the current SSGNs.
What is the difference between an SSN and an SSGN?
An SSN’s defining emphasis is finding and engaging enemy submarines and surface ships, while retaining strike, intelligence, fleet-support, mine-warfare, and SOF roles. An SSGN is organized around carrying a large conventional missile payload and supporting clandestine SOF missions. Both types are nuclear-powered, stealthy submarines, and their capabilities overlap.
The U.S. Navy describes the SSN as a platform for seeking and destroying enemy submarines and surface ships, projecting power ashore with Tomahawks and SOF, conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), supporting battle-group operations, and engaging in mine warfare. Its SSN fact file presents a broad mission set, rather than a submarine limited to torpedo combat.
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What does an SSGN do?
The four current U.S. Navy SSGNs are Ohio-class submarines converted from SSBNs (ballistic-missile submarines) into conventional land-attack and SOF platforms. They can deliver a large Tomahawk salvo from a clandestine platform and provide space and facilities for special operations. They are not SSBNs in their current role: their mission is conventional strike and SOF support, not the strategic nuclear-deterrence mission associated with SSBNs.
Missile strike
The Navy’s SSGN fact file says each Ohio-class SSGN can carry up to 154 Tomahawk missiles in up to 22 missile tubes, using seven-shot canisters. The tubes can also hold SOF equipment and supplies. “Up to” describes the Navy’s stated design capacity, not the load carried on every mission.
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Special operations support
The same fact file lists capacity for up to 66 SOF personnel. Two forward missile tubes have been permanently converted to lock-out chambers for clandestine insertion and retrieval, and the submarine can accommodate a Dry Deck Shelter. The conversion therefore trades some missile-tube space for facilities and support capacity; it does not make the SSGN a missile-only boat.
The Ohio SSGNs also have four torpedo tubes, enhanced communications, and a Blue/Gold arrangement with two alternating crews, each listed by the Navy as 15 officers and 144 enlisted personnel.
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Can an attack submarine launch cruise missiles?
Yes. U.S. Navy SSNs can launch Tomahawk cruise missiles as well as use torpedoes. The Virginia-class missile arrangement depends on the boat’s construction block, and the Navy’s published capacities describe design configurations rather than the exact load of a submarine on a particular deployment.
Virginia-class payload arrangements
- SSNs 774–783: the Navy lists 12 vertical launch system (VLS) tubes.
- SSNs 784 and later: two large-diameter Virginia Payload Tubes can each launch six Tomahawks using Multiple All-up Round Canisters.
- VPM-equipped boats beginning with SSN 803: the Virginia Payload Module adds four large-diameter tubes, each capable of carrying seven Tomahawks—28 additional missiles in total, according to the Navy SSN fact file.
The Virginia design also supports SOF missions; its torpedo room can be reconfigured for SOF personnel and equipment. Thus, neither land-attack missiles nor SOF support are capabilities exclusive to SSGNs.
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Tomahawk is a subsonic cruise missile used for deep land attack, not a ballistic missile. The Navy’s Tomahawk fact file describes it as an all-weather weapon launched from U.S. and Royal Navy surface ships and submarines.
How do the current boats compare?
The figures below are Navy-published characteristics for different designs, not results from a controlled head-to-head performance comparison. They should not be used to infer combat effectiveness, survivability, or availability.
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| Characteristic | Virginia-class SSN | Ohio-class SSGN |
|---|---|---|
| Primary emphasis | Broad undersea warfare, with strike, ISR, SOF, fleet support, and mine-warfare roles | High-volume conventional land attack and SOF support |
| Missile capacity described | Varies by construction block; VPM adds capacity for 28 Tomahawks | Up to 154 Tomahawks in up to 22 missile tubes |
| SOF capacity or support | SOF support; torpedo room can be reconfigured | Up to 66 SOF personnel; two forward tubes converted to lock-out chambers |
| Length and beam | 377 ft long and 34 ft beam; VPM-equipped version: 461 ft long | 560 ft long and 42 ft beam |
| Submerged displacement | Approximately 7,800 tons; approximately 10,200 tons with VPM | 18,750 tons |
| Published speed | 25+ knots | 20+ knots |
| Crew figure | 145 | Two alternating crews, each listed as 15 officers and 144 enlisted |
These dimensions and figures are reported by the Navy for the respective classes. They do not establish that one type is operationally faster in all circumstances, or that a higher missile count by itself means greater combat effectiveness. The Virginia figures are in the SSN fact file; Ohio SSGN figures are in the SSGN fact file.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What changes with the planned Virginia SSGNs?
On 3 August 2026, the Navy announced that 19 planned VPM-equipped Virginia-class submarines will be designated SSGNs. The announcement estimates delivery of the first, SSGN 803, in fiscal year 2029, with deliveries continuing through fiscal year 2038. These are planned future-force designations; they are distinct from the four Ohio-class SSGNs identified in the Navy’s existing fact file.
The change reflects the added strike capacity associated with VPM, not the replacement of every SSN mission by a missile-only role. The Navy announcement quotes Vice Adm. Rob Gaucher, Director of Submarine Programs, describing the redesignation as “a clear acknowledgment of the increased lethality VPM brings to the undersea fight.” See the Navy announcement for the designation and schedule.
How should you interpret the labels?
- SSN: think broad undersea warfare capability, with attack, intelligence, strike, and other missions. It can carry Tomahawks.
- SSGN: think a configuration emphasizing a larger conventional missile load and SOF support. The current examples are converted Ohio-class boats; planned Virginia SSGNs will use VPM-equipped Virginia designs.
- Neither label is a complete inventory: “attack” does not mean no cruise missiles, and “guided missile” does not mean no torpedoes.
These definitions and configurations are specific to the U.S. Navy usage discussed here. Other navies may use different submarine classes, capabilities, or naming conventions.
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