USS Glenard P. Lipscomb

The USS Glenard P. Lipscomb (SSN-685) was the US Navy's second design using a turbo-electric power plant similar to USS Tullibee. While this design is quieter, it is heavier and larger than conventional drive trains. Those disadvantages, along with reliability issues, led to the decision not to use this design for the follow-on SSN-688 Los Angeles class of submarines. Other than the engine room, Lipscomb was generally similar to the SSN-637 Sturgeon class, and was a fully combat-capable attack submarine.

Construction of Lipscomb began on 5 June 1971 at the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. She was launched 4 August 1973, sponsored by Mrs. Glenard P. Lipscomb, and was commissioned on 21 December 1974 with Commander James F. Caldwell in command. She was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 11 July 1990 and disposed of by submarine recycling at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on 1 December 1997.

General Characteristics

• Displacement: 5813 tons surfaced, 6480 tons submerged
• Length: 365 feet
• Beam: 32 feet
• Speed: 18 knots surfaced, 23 knots submerged
• Test Depth: 1300 feet
• Power Plant: One S5W reactor[?], turbine-electric drive, one shaft
• Armament: four 21" torpedo tubes
• Complement: 12 officers, 109 enlisted
• Builder: General Dynamics Electric Boat Division