| 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].
The LOS ANGELES class SSN was designed almost exclusively
for Carrier Battlegroup escort; they were fast, quiet, and
could launch Mk48 and ADCAP torpedoes, Harpoon Anti-Ship
Missiles (no longer carried), and both land attack and
anti-ship (no longer carried) Tomahawk cruise missiles. The
new submarines showed another step improvement in quieting
and an increase in operating speed to allow them to support
the CVBG. Escort duties included conducting ASW sweeps
hundreds of miles ahead of the CVBG and conducting attacks
against the SAG.
Submarines
of the LOS ANGELES Class are among the most advanced
undersea vessels of their type in the world. While
anti-submarine warfare is still their primary mission, the
inherent characteristics of the submarine's stealth,
mobility and endurance are used to meet the challenges of
today's changing global geopolitical climate. Submarines are
able to get on station quickly, stay for an extended period
of time and carry out a variety of missions including the
deployment of special forces, minelaying, and precision
strike land attack.
These
360 foot, 6,900-ton ship are well equipped to accomplish
these tasks. Faster than her predecessors and possessing
highly accurate sensors, weapons control systems and central
computer complexes, the LOS ANGELES Class is armed with
sophisticated MK-48 Advanced Capability anti-submarine/ship
torpedoes, Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles, and mines.
These
submarines were built in three successive variants:
- SSNs
618-718 - Orginal Los Angeles class
- SSNs
719-750 - Starting with SSN 719 and beyond the last 31
hulls of the class have 12 vertical launch tubes for the
Tomahawk cruise missile, along with an upgraded reactor
core.
- SSNs
751-773 - The final 23 hulls [SSN 751 and later]
referred to as "688I" (for improved), are
quieter, incorporate an advanced BSY-1 sonar suite
combat system and the ability to lay mines from their
torpedo tubes. They are configured for under-ice
operations in that their forward diving planes have been
moved from the sail structure to the bow and the sail
has been strengthened for breaking through ice.
The USS
MEMPHIS (SSN 691) has been modified to serve as a test and
evaluation platform for advanced submarine systems and
equipment, while retaining her combat capability.
The
submarines are outfitted with a wide variety of antennas,
transmitters and receivers necessary to support
accomplishment of their assigned tasks. Interior
communication is possible on a wide range of circuits and
sound powered phones which do not require electrical power
and are reliable in battle situations. Various alarm and
indicating circuits enable the Officer of the Deck and the
Engineering Officer of the Watch to continuously monitor
critical parameters and equipment located throughout the
ship.
The
nuclear power plant gives these boats the ability to remain
deployed and submerged for extended periods of time. To take
advantage of this, the ship is outfitted with auxiliary
equipment to provide for the needs of the crew. Atmosphere
control equipment replenishes oxygen used by the crew, and
removes carbon dioxide and other atmosphere contaminants.
The ship is equipped with two distilling plants which
convert salt water to fresh water for drinking, washing and
the propulsion plant. Sustained operation of the complex
equipment and machinery on the ship requires the support of
repair parts carried on board. The ship carries enough food
to feed a crew of over one hundred for as long as 90 days.
Between
1998 and 2001 the US will retire 11 Los Angeles class
submarines that have an average of 13 years left on their
30-year service lives. SSN-688 class submarines could
operate for much longer than 30 years; one of the
shipbuilders stated that 10 to 20 years of additional
service would not be unreasonable. Past Navy actions
indicate that extending a submarine's service life may be
feasible. After a 5-year study was completed on the SSN-637
class submarine--the predecessor of the SSN-688 class--the
design life was extended from 20 years to 30 years, with a
possible extension to 33 years on a case-by-case basis. The
18 SSN-688 class submarines that will be refueled at their
mid-life could make good candidates for a service life
extension because they could operate for nearly 30 years
after the refueling. After these submarines serve for 30
years, they could undergo a 2-year overhaul and serve for
one more 10-year operating cycle, for a total service life
of 42 years. The cost for the additional overhaul of SSN-688
class submarines would be about $406 million per boat.
Eight
older Los Angeles-class submarines, without a vertical
launch system, could be refueled at a cost of $210 million
more than it would cost to inactivate them.
- FY2000
- SSN 713 Houston
- FY2001
- SSN 698 Bremerton
- FY2001
- SSN 699 Jacksonville
- FY2001
- SSN 714 Norfolk
- FY2005
- SSN 716 Salt Lake City
- FY2006
- SSN 717 Olympia
- FY2007
- SSN 718 Honolulu
- FY2008
- SSN 710 Augusta
These
submarines can still be used in strike missions, however, by
firing Tomahawk land attack missiles through their torpedo
tubes. |
