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The length of the Ohio Class Submarine is 560 feet and the beam is 42 feet. The boat displaces around 16,000 tons on the surface and 18,000 tons submerged. The real difference, however, lies behind the scenes and in the new missions of the converted platform. The two major missions of the SSGN is to launch Tomahawks missiles and to be a platform for Special Operation Forces.

''We know that today we are interested in fighting the War on Terrorism. We really don't know what tomorrow holds,'' said Cmdr. Gregory Ott, commander of Florida. ''So what's important is that Florida has an open architecture that allows the ship to be reconfigured to meet a changing mission.''

In September 2002, Florida completed her 61st and final patrol, marking the end of an era which began with the boat's first strategic deterrent patrol in July 1984. After offloading Trident I ballistic missiles, Florida departed Washington for her new home in the Atlantic Ocean. On June 27, 2003, Florida arrived at Norfolk Naval Shipyard for the start of a process that changed the submarine from a ballistic missile carrier into a guided-missile submarine.

Florida has been in a three-year overhaul to prepare the boat for a new mission. The overhaul itself had two main phases. The first was the engineering refueling overhaul and the second was the SSGN conversion. Florida is powered by a S8G reactor and, after 20 years of operation, the reactor was refueled. This process was completed in April and will sustain the boat for the rest of its operational life.

''The SSGN has expanded the clandestine mission of the SEALs,'' said GMCS(SEAL) Steven Schroder, a technical expert on the SEAL side of the SSGN. ''With the SSGNs new abilities, the SEAL community will be able to stay out longer and be able to get involved with all sorts of new missions.''

The SSGN mission is unique to its platform with the ability to hold 154 Tomahawk missiles or new generation cruise missiles. The SSGN will bring a new dimension to strike warfare. SSNs, with up to 24 Tomahawks, usually launch missiles in salvos of three or four (16 maximum). An SSGN can fire off a salvo of 20 missiles at a time, representimg a small percent of the full load of 140 or 154 missiles.

One might ask where the 500 plus Tomahawks come from that are needed to fully arm four SSGNs. The answer is the submarine force. Existing submarine torpedo-tube launched TLAMs will be converted for vertical launch to provide the required load-outs.

Part of the second mission of the Florida is the installation of Advanced SEAL Delivery System. The ASDS is designed to provide a long-range insertion and extraction ability for SOF. Due to the debilitating effects of long-time immersion in cold (or even warm) water, the ASDS has a dry chamber that SEALs or EOD can use to ride in comfort to the insertion point, giving them maximum combat effectiveness. The ASDS can carry around 16 SEALs to distances rumored to be around 125 miles from their launching point and allows SOF teams to arrive near their target dry and fully armed with only a short swim or immersion. The ASDS can operate in the open ocean or in littoral environments and extra berthing and storage for 66 Special Forces personnel.

In addition, there will be a SOF control area aboard the SSGNs to allow a SEAL commander the means of controlling the deployed Special Forces while staying in contact with superiors. Two of the missile tubes have been converted into diver lock-out chambers and landing pads for dry deck shelters to further assist the SOF mission.

''With the boat comprised of both fast attack and ballistic submariners, we are now bringing the best of both worlds to the SSGNs,'' said MT1(SS) Brad Antone, a crew member.

That best of both worlds means using the experience of both fast attack and SSBN Sailors to operate Florida. Because of the mission of the SSGN, it is believed that the mixture of training and experience will give the SSGNs the upper hand in creating a well oiled machine.

Along with the new atmosphere, the submariners will have to get used to the additional space created by the conversion. The space is a result of not having to carry a multitude of mission-essential parts for every component, which frees up space for more food, SOF equipment, and room to improve the quality of life for the submariners.

Although much of the work on Florida has been completed, there is much to be done. The boat is scheduled to go into dry dock at NSB Kings Bay for more modifications. While staying at the base, Florida will receive many modernization upgrades and, towards the end of the year, the boat will receive a 100-day modernization to complete the modifications needed.

''She is certainly different from a fast attack sub,'' said CMDCM(SS) Harold Miller, Florida's chief of the boat. ''The Florida has so much more space - she is like the Cadillac of submarines.''

PH2(AW/NAC) William Tonacchio can be reached by calling 573-9623 or at william.tonacchio@navy.mil.