SSN688 - Los Angeles Class Fast Attack Submarine

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

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History

Nuclear powered Fast Attack submarine. Deployed on November 13, 1976, the Los Angeles (SSN688) fast attack submarine marked a technological leap forward in submarine design. Built from the screw forward as a dedicated antisubmarine warfare (ASW) platform, the Los Angeles class submarines were designed to guard American Carrier Battle Groups by hunting Soviet submarines and anti-surface warfare (ASUW) capitol ships like the Kirov class BCGN. The Los Angeles submarines were faster, quieter, carried more sophisticated sensors and possessed better weapons than any other submarine in existence. In addition to their primary function as offensive ASW weapons the 688 boats perform a number of additional duties to include sub surface precision land attack strikes (using tube launched Tomahawk cruise missiles), intelligence gathering, mine warfare, and special operations support (SEAL deployment and recovery). In fact, their performance was so revolutionary that beginning with USS Providence (SSN719) the hull was lengthened to accommodate 12 vertical launch system (VLS) tubes to allow the submarines to launch Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles. Nearing the end of their 30-year lives, the Los Angeles class submarines are slowly being replaced by the Improved Los Angeles (San Juan SSN751), the Seawolf (SSN21) and ultimately by the Virginia class (SSN774).

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.

USS Dallas - Los Angeles Class Submarine Model
The Los Angeles class SSN specifically included ASW against Soviet submarines trying to sink the US carrier and ASUW against capital ships in the Soviet surface action group [SAG].
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