STURGEON
class submarines were built for anti-submarine warfare in
the late 1960s and 1970s. Using the same propulsion system
as their smaller predecessors of the SSN-585 Skipjack and
SSN-594 Permit classes, the larger Sturgeons sacrificed
speed for greater combat capabilities.
They
are equipped to carry the HARPOON missile, the TOMAHAWK
cruise missile,and the MK-48 and ADCAP torpedoes. Torpedo
tubes are located amidships to accomodate the bow-mounted
sonar. The sail-mounted dive planes rotate to a vertical
position for breaking through the ice when surfacing in
Arctic regions.
Beginning
with SSN-678 Archerfish units of this class had a
10-foot longer hull, giving them more living and working
space than previous submarines of the Sturgeon Class.
A
total of six Sturgeon-class boats were modified to
carry the SEAL Dry Deck Shelter [DDS], one in 1982 and five
between 1988 and 1991. The are SSN 678-680, 682, 684, 686
are listed as "DDS Capable" -- either permanently
fitted with the DDS or trained with them. In this
configuration they are primarily tasked with the covert
insertion of special forces troops from an attached Dry Deck
Shelter (DDS). The Dry Deck Shelter is a submersible launch
hanger with a hyperbolic chamber that attaches to the ship's
Weapon Shipping Hatch. The DDS provides the most tactically
practical means of SEAL delivery due to its size,
capabilities, and location on the ship.
Rapidly
being phased out in favor of the LOS ANGELES and SEAWOLF
Classes of attack submarines, this venerable and flexible
workhorse of the submarine attack fleet continues to operate
in the forward areas of the world to this day. Attracting
little publicity during its heyday, this class of ship was
the platform of choice for many of the Cold War missions for
which submarines are now famous. After a 5-year study was
completed on the SSN-637 class submarine, the design life
was extended from 20 years to 30 years, with a possible
extension to 33 years on a case-by-case basis. However, many
boats of this class were retired prior to this limit in
order to avoid expensive reactor refueling operations.
official:
"greater than 400 feet"
Actual: 1300 feet [400 meters] test depth
Actual: 1900 feet [600 meters] collapse depth
Power
Plant
One
S5W nuclear reactor,
two steam turbines, 15,000 shp, one shaft
Armament
MK
48 Torpedoes, four torpedo tubes
UUM-44A SUBROC
UGM-84A/C Harpoon
MK 57 deep water mines
MK 60 CAPTOR mines
Radars
BPS-14/15
surface search
Sonars
BQQ-5
multi-function bow mounted
BQR-7 passive in submarines with BQQ-2
BQR-26 in SSN 666
BQS-6 active in submarines with BQQ-2
BQS-12 active on SSN 637-664
BQS-13 active on SSN 665-687
TB-16 or TB-23 towed array
