

The powerful class of attack submarines was built toward the end of the Cold War to hunt down Soviet submarines in deep water, but in the aftermath, the Navy cancelled the costly Seawolf program.

USS Connecticut is one of only three Seawolf-class submarines and is widely considered to be among the US Navy's most capable submarines. It is unclear if Connecticut is still fit to submerge. Navy Times reported that the damaged submarine will be arriving in Guam on Thursday.Ī damaged submarine typically must travel on the surface to protect a damaged hull that could be stressed, possibly to the point of implosion, underwater. USS Connecticut, which is based out of Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton in Washington, deployed to the Pacific in late May. The injuries, an official told Navy Times, were mainly "bumps, bruises, and lacerations."Ĭoncerning the damages to the submarine, "the extent of damage to the remainder of the submarine is being assessed," PACFLEET said.

The Navy reports that the submarine is in safe and stable condition, that the nuclear propulsion plant and associated spaces were not affected, and that there were no life threatening injuries. PACFLEET also declined to say exactly where the collision occurred, but US officials told Fox News that it happened in the South China Sea. An official told Navy Times, though, that the topography of the area did not indicate the presence of a land mass in the submarine's path.Īdditionally, there are reportedly no indications the collision was hostile or involved some other vessel. PACFLEET declined to say what the submarine collided with during the incident, only telling Insider that the incident is under investigation. Navy photo N-4307F-010.The submarine collision was first reported by USNI News. Odin-One is a Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise conducted in the North Sea region. 27, 2003) - The nuclear powered attack submarine USS Seawolf (SSN 21) participates in NATO exercise Odin-One. The class uses the more advanced ARCI Modified AN/BSY-2 combat system, which includes a new, larger spherical sonar array, a wide aperture array (WAA), and a new towed-array sonar. The boats also have extensive equipment to allow for “littoral”, or “shallow-water” operations. This hull section provides for additional payload capacity to accommodate advanced technology used to carry out classified research and development and for enhanced warfighting capabilities.Ĭompared to previous Los Angeles Class submarines, Seawolf Class submarines are larger, faster, and significantly quieter. The third ship of the class, USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23), has a 100-foot hull extension called the multi-mission platform. Though lacking Vertical Launch Systems, the Seawolf class has eight torpedo tubes and can hold up to 50 weapons in its torpedo room. Commissioned on July 19, 1997, USS Seawolf (SSN 21) is exceptionally quiet, fast, well-armed, and equipped with advanced sensors. Tomahawk missiles and MK48 torpedoes, eight torpedo tubes. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Thomas C. 29, 2003) - Crewmen aboard the Los Angeles Class nuclear powered attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758), man the topside navigation watch as the submarine operates at high speed near San Diego. The last 31 boats of this class also have 12 dedicated vertical launching system (VLS) tubes for launching Tomahawks. Los Angeles Class submarines carry about 25 torpedo tube launched weapons and all boats of the class are capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles horizontally (from the torpedo tubes). Their diving planes were placed at their bows rather than on their sails, and they have stronger sails for penetrating thick ice. Columbia SSBNs will carry approximately 70 percent of the nations. These advanced boats were also designed for operating beneath the polar icecap. SSBNs are the most secure and survivable of our nations nuclear deterrent triad. The final 23 boats of the Los Angeles Class were designed and built to be quieter than their predecessors and also to carry more-advanced sensor and weapons systems. The Los Angeles Class was preceded by the Sturgeon Class and followed by the Seawolf Class. With 36 submarines of this class on active duty and 26 retired from service, the Los Angeles Class has more nuclear submarines in it than any other class in the world. The Los Angeles Class, sometimes called the LA Class or the 688 Class, is a class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines that forms the backbone of the U.S.

Tomahawk missiles and MK48 torpedoes, four torpedo tubes. General Characteristics: Los Angeles Class
