Earlier this month, a US Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, reportedly the USS Alaska, made a rare and very public port visit to Gibraltar. US submarines arriving in UK overseas territory are not necessarily unusual. What made this visit stand out was the type of submarine involved.
Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines form a key part of America’s nuclear triad. Each can carry up to 20 Trident II D5 missiles, making them among the most important assets in America’s strategic deterrent. Unsurprisingly, the whereabouts of these submarines are usually meant to remain unknown. Their survivability and lethality depend on stealth.