USS Louisiana (SSBN-743) is the 18th and last ship of the United States Navy's Ohio class of nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarines. She carries Trident ballistic missiles and has been in commission since 1997. She is the fourth commissioned ship to bear the name of the U.S. state of Louisiana.
USS Louisiana (SSBN-743) arriving for the first time at her new home port at Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, Washington, on 12 October 2005.
Louisiana receiving the 2006 Omaha Trophy in 2007.
The Ohio class of nuclear-powered submarines includes the United States Navy's 14 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and its four cruise missile submarines (SSGNs). Each displacing 18,750 tons submerged, the Ohio-class boats are the largest submarines ever built for the U.S. Navy. They are also the third-largest submarines ever built, behind the Russian Navy's Soviet era 48,000-ton Typhoon class, the last of which was retired in 2023, and 24,000-ton Borei class. Capable of carrying 24 Trident II missiles apiece, the Ohio class are equipped with just as many missiles as, if not more than, either the Borei class (16) or the deactivated Typhoon class (20).
USS Ohio, during her commissioning ceremony in 1981.
USS Michigan (SSBN-727) at a dry-dock in November 2002, before its conversion to an SSGN
USS Ohio being converted from an SSBN to an SSGN in March 2004
Artist's concept of an Ohio-class SSGN launching Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles