DAHLGREN, Va. –
For Dan Hogan, the journey from the silent, high-tech corridors of nuclear submarines to the labs of Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division was anything but planned. He joined the Navy for practical reasons after earning a physics degree. That turned into a 20-year career aboard some of the most complex and mysterious vessels ever built.
Today, Hogan channels that experience into his role as a scientist at NSWCDD, where he helps develop and refine the software that keeps the Navy’s submarines mission ready.
“I wasn’t setting out to become a retired submarine officer,” said Hogan. “It was one step at a time. I started as a physics student, and the Navy’s nuclear power program seemed like a good place to start. It gave me a job, experience and a direction.”
Hogan served on both Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines and Los Angeles-class fast attack submarines – two very different platforms with equally critical missions. The Ohio-class “boomers” are the Navy’s stealthy guardians of strategic deterrence, designed to remain undetected while carrying submarine-launched ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads. The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarines, on the other hand, are versatile hunters, tasked with everything from tracking enemy submarines to supporting carrier strike groups.
“On the SSBNs, the mission is strategic deterrence,” said Hogan. “They go out to sea, stay covert and are always ready to launch if needed. The fast attacks are more flexible – they can perform a wide range of missions, from surveillance to supporting strikes. It’s a completely different pace.”
Life beneath the surface
Long deployments, tight quarters and a unique camaraderie among the crew defined Hogan’s time aboard submarines.
Before stepping foot on a submarine, Hogan underwent rigorous training as part of the Navy’s nuclear power program. This included six months of classroom instruction, six months of hands-on experience at a nuclear plant and additional training at submarine school. After about a year and a half, he began his first tour as a junior officer aboard the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735).
“It’s like living in a different world,” he said. “You’re isolated, but you adjust. Your brain just accepts that this is your entire world – these walls, this crew.”
Hogan’s initial role focused on the engineering side, working in the engine room to ensure the submarine’s propulsion systems operated smoothly. Over time, he advanced to roles in the forward part of the submarine, including navigation and operations, where he was responsible for maneuvering the vessel, ensuring mission success and maintaining safety.
“By the time you’re done, you understand everything – how it all connects,” said Hogan. “You can look at any pipe and know where it’s going and where it comes from.”
Submarine life came with lots of challenges. Hogan recalls spending weeks underwater without surfacing during six-month deployments. Personal communication with the outside world was limited to brief “family grams” – short messages exchanged with loved ones in the early 2000s.
“It’s not like being on the surface,” said Hogan. “Submarines are intentionally covert, so communication is difficult. You might get a little paragraph from home once a week.”
Nowadays, Sailors have limited access to commercial email while underway.
Despite the challenges of isolation, life aboard a submarine was far from lacking connection. Humor and camaraderie became the glue that held the crew together, transforming the confined quarters into a space of shared resilience. Whether it was lighthearted pranks, inside jokes or simply leaning on one another during long deployments, these moments of laughter were vital.
“You’re living in close quarters with the same people for months,” said Hogan. “You have to find ways to keep things light, or the stress can get to you. Humor wasn’t just a distraction – it was a necessity to keep going.”
The stakes, however, were always high. Fires, flooding drills and the ever-present risks of operating a nuclear-powered vessel required constant vigilance.
“There were moments where you didn’t know how bad a situation was until you dealt with it,” Hogan said. “But the training is so rigorous that you’re prepared for anything.”
Bridging experience and innovation at NSWCDD
After retiring from the Navy, Hogan transitioned to NSWCDD, where his submarine experience proved invaluable. As a scientist in the Strategic and Computing Systems Department, he works on targeting and communications software for submarines, ensuring that these systems meet the needs of the Sailors who rely on them.
NSWCDD has been a cornerstone of submarine-launched ballistic missile development for more than six decades, playing a pivotal role in advancing the Navy’s strategic deterrence capabilities. Its contributions date back to the Polaris program, which saw the first successful launch of a missile from a submerged submarine, the USS George Washington (SSBN 598), in 1960. Dahlgren’s expertise in ballistic computations and fire control systems was instrumental in this groundbreaking achievement, laying the foundation for its enduring role in SLBM innovation.
Over the years, NSWCDD has been involved in every major SLBM program, from Polaris to Poseidon and now the Trident systems. The division’s work has included developing advanced fire-control algorithms, solving complex guidance challenges and integrating technologies to enhance missile accuracy and range. These efforts have ensured the Navy’s undersea deterrent remains unmatched, with the Ohio-class submarines and their Trident II D5 missiles serving as a critical component of national security.
Today, NSWCDD continues to lead the way in supporting the next generation of submarine-launched systems, including the Ohio Replacement Program, which has evolved into what is now the Navy’s Columbia‑class Submarine Program. This initiative will extend the Navy’s strategic deterrence capabilities well into the 2080s, ensuring the fleet remains a formidable and covert force.
“These capabilities support people out there on submarines,” said Hogan. “My background helps me explain what it’s like on a submarine and how the software interfaces with the crew. It’s about making sure we’re not adding unnecessary burdens to their already challenging jobs.”
Hogan’s role at the Strategic Targeting and Communications Branch at NSWCDD involves coordinating updates to existing software to improve its performance while maintaining reliability.
“It’s not always about reinventing the wheel,” he said. “But we make sure the software does what it needs to do and supports the submarine and its mission.”
The complexity and mystery of submarines
Nuclear submarines are engineering marvels, combining stealth, endurance and firepower. The Ohio-class SSBNs, for example, can carry up to 20 Trident II D5 missiles, each capable of delivering multiple nuclear warheads with pinpoint accuracy. These submarines operate for months at a time, remaining undetected while providing a critical deterrent against potential adversaries.
Fast attack submarines like the Los Angeles-class or the newer Virginia-class are equally formidable, equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles and advanced sonar systems. Their ability to operate covertly and adapt to a wide range of missions makes them a cornerstone of the Navy’s undersea warfare strategy.
“Submarines are designed to operate in the shadows and that’s what makes them so effective,” said Hogan. “But it also means the people on board have to be incredibly skilled and adaptable.”
Hogan’s path from the ocean’s depths to the cutting edge of naval technology shows the lasting value of expertise, adaptability and dedication to service. His story is a reminder of the vital role submarines and their operators and support teams play in safeguarding the nation and ensuring its security for generations to come.