SSN671 - USS Narwhal Fast Attack Submarine

Attack submarines are designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships.

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History

One-of-a-kind prototype built off of the Sturgeon class SSN design. Literally in a class by herself, the USS Narwhal was the only submarine of the Sturgeon class to be built with a prototype natural circulation nuclear reactor. Because the natural circulation powerplant did not need noise generating pumps to circulate the reactor coolant, at the time of her construction the Narwhal was the quietest submarine in the world. Coupled with the most advanced sensors and combat systems available, the Narwhal was without peer in the performance of her duties. Given her superior performance, Narwhal was ideally suited to perform intelligence gathering eavesdropping missions; during the course of her career Narwhal deployed overseas seventeen times and was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, three Meritorious Unit Commendations, five Battle Efficiency "E" awards, four Engineering "E" awards, the Antisubmarine Warfare "A", the Communications "C", and the Supply "E" awards.

Description

The concept of technical superiority over numerical superiority was and still is the driving force in American submarine development. A number of Third World countries are acquiring modern state-of-the-art non-nuclear submarines. Countering this threat is the primary mission of U.S. nuclear attack submarines.

Their other missions range from intelligence collection and special forces delivery to anti-ship and strike warfare. The Navy began construction of Seawolf class submarines in 1989. Seawolf is designed to be exceptionally quiet, fast well-armed with advanced sensors. It is a multi-mission vessel, capable of deploying to forward ocean areas to search out and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships and to fire missiles in support of other forces.

The first of the class, Seawolf (SSN 21), completed its initial sea trials in July 1996. Attack submarines also carry the Tomahawk cruise missile. Tomahawk launches from attack submarines were successfully conducted during Operation Desert Storm.

In late 1998, the contract was let for building the first of the New Attack Submarine. This class, the Virginia-class fully embraces the new strategic concept in ... From the Sea and Forward... From the Sea. It is the first U.S. submarine to be designed for battlespace dominance across a broad spectrum of regional and littoral missions as well as open-ocean, "blue water" missions. The Virginia-class achieves the right balance of core military capabilities and affordability.

The Benjamin Franklin-class were converted from Fleet Ballistic Missile submarines and carry drydeck shelters. They are equipped for special operations and support SEALs. The former missile spaces have been converted to accommodations, storage, and recreation spaces.