Los Angeles class submarine
The Los Angeles-class attack submarines (SSN) were the most numerous class of nuclear powered submarines built by any nation, and formed the bulk of the U.S. attack submarine force well into the 21st century. They were preceded by the Sturgeon class and followed by the Seawolf class.
LA-class submarines are extremely fast and carry about 25 torpedo-tube launched weapons. Any boat of this class may launch a Tomahawk cruise missile from its horizontal torpedo tubes. However, the last 31 boats of the class have 12 vertical launch tubes specifically for this purpose.
The final 23 boats in the series, referred to as "688I," are even quieter, incorporate an advanced combat system, and are configured for under-ice operations (with diving planes on the bow and a reinforced sail).
General Characteristics
- Builders: Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding
- Displacement: 6,927 tons submerged
- Length: 360 feet
- Beam: 33 feet
- Draft: 32 feet
- Propulsion: S6G reactor
- Speed: 25+ knots submerged
- Depth: Greater than 800 feet
- Complement: 140
- Armament:
- Four 21-inch forward torpedo tubes
- on SSNs 719-725 and 750-773, 12 Vertical Launch System tubes
Boats
Homeported at the Naval Submarine Base, Norfolk, Virginia
Further information
