Encyclopedia > Los Angeles class submarine

Article Content

Los Angeles class submarine

The Los Angeles-class attack submarines (SSN) were the most numerous class of nuclear powered submarines built by any nation, and formed the bulk of the U.S. attack submarine force well into the 21st century. They were preceded by the Sturgeon class and followed by the Seawolf class.

LA-class submarines are extremely fast and carry about 25 torpedo-tube launched weapons. The last 31 ships of the class have 12 vertical launch tubes for the Tomahawk[?] cruise missile. Of these, the final 23 ships, referred to as "688I," are even quieter, incorporate an advanced combat system, and are configured for under-ice operations (with diving planes on the bow and a reinforced sail).

Table of contents

1 General Characteristics

2 Ships

2.1 Homeported at the Naval Submarine Base, Groton, Connecticut
2.2 Homeported at the Naval Submarine Base, Norfolk, Virginia
2.3 Homeported at the Naval Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
2.4 Homeported at the Naval Submarine Base, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
2.5 Homeported at the Naval Submarine Base, San Diego, California
2.6 Stricken, to be disposed of by submarine recycling

General Characteristics

Builders: Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding
Displacement: 6,927 tons submerged
Length: 360 feet
Beam: 33 feet
Draft: 32 feet
Propulsion: S6G reactor[?]
Speed: 25+ knots submerged
Depth: Greater than 800 feet
Complement: 140
Armament:
- Four 21-inch forward torpedo tubes
- on SSNs 719-725 and 750-773, 12 Vertical Launch System tubes

Search over one million articles, find something about almost anything!