Los Angeles class submarine

The Los Angeles class, sometimes called the LA-class or the 688-class, is a class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines (SSN) that forms the backbone of the United States submarine fleet. With 62 submarines, this class has more boats than any other nuclear powered submarine class in the world. The class was preceded by the Sturgeon class and followed by the Seawolf class and Virginia classes. Submarines of this class are usually named after U.S. cities, breaking a long-standing Navy tradition of naming attack submarines after sea creatures.

The final 23 boats in the series, referred to as "688i" boats, are quieter than their predecessors and incorporate a more advanced combat system. These 688i boats are also designed for under-ice operations: their diving planes are on the bow rather than on the sail, and they have reinforced sails.

Characteristics

Capabilities

According to the U.S. government, the top speed of Los Angeles-class submarines is over 25 knots (46 km/h, 29 mph) and the precise speed is classified. Some estimates put the top speed at 30 – 33 knots.^[6]^[2]

Similarly, government sources give the maximum operating depth as 650 feet (200 m),^[7] while Patrick Tyler, in his book Running Critical, suggests a maximum operating depth of 950 feet (290 m).^[8] Although Tyler cites the 688-class design committee for this figure,^[9] the government has not commented on it.

Weapons and fire control systems

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). The last 31 boats of this class also have 12 dedicated vertical launch (VLS) tubes for launching Tomahawks.

Engineering and auxiliary systems

There are two watertight compartments in the Los Angeles class of submarines. The aft compartment contains the Reactor Compartment (RC) and Engine Room (ER). The Forward Compartment (FC) contains the crew livings spaces, weapons handling spaces and control spaces. The two compartments are separated by a single watertight door.^[10] Some submarines in the class are capable of delivering SEALs through either the Dry Deck Shelter (DDS) system or the Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS).^[11] A variety of atmospheric control devices are used to remain submerged for long periods of time without ventilating, including an Electrolytic Oxygen Generator (EOG).^[12]^[4]

While on the surface or at periscope depth the submarine may use the ship's auxiliary (or, alternately, emergency) diesel generator for power or ventilation^[13]^[14] (for example: following a fire).^[15] Unlike modern conventional submarines such as the HMAS Rankin, the procedure to start the diesel engine in a 688 class is quite complicated and can take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes before the diesel is capable of producing full power.^[16] Normally, power is generated by the ship's nuclear reactor providing steam for the steam driven turbine generators. While the emergency diesel generator is starting up, power can be provided from the ships battery through the Ship Service Motor Generators (SSMGs).^[17] Likewise, propulsion is normally delivered through the ship's steam driven main engines.^[18]

In the media

Los Angeles-class submarines have been involved in a number of major submarine incidents. LA-class submarines have also been featured prominently in numerous Tom Clancy novels and film adaptations, most notably the USS Dallas in The Hunt for Red October.^[19] Other Los Angeles class submarines have been the subject of video games and simulations such as 688i.

Notes

^ "U.S. Navy Fact Sheet - Attack Submarines - SSN". United States Navy. Retrieved on 2008-04-20. "General Characteristics, Los Angeles class ... Speed: 20+ knots (23+ miles per hour, 36.8 +kph)"
^ ^a ^b Polmar, Norman & Moore, Kenneth J. (2003), Cold War Submarines:The Design and Construction of U.S. and Soviet Submarines, Brassey's, pp. 271, ISBN 1574885944
^ "Officials: U.S. submarine hit undersea mountain", CNN (January 11, 2005). Retrieved on 2008-04-20. "The submarine was traveling in excess of 33 knots -- about 35 mph --when its nose hit the undersea formation head-on, officials said."
^ ^a ^b SSN-688 Los Angeles class from Federation of American Scientists retrieved 02/29/2008 :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.
^ ^a ^b Polmar, Norman "The U. S. Navy Electronic Warfare (Part 1)" United States Naval Institute Proceedings October 1979 p.137
^ Tyler, Patrick (1986). Running Critical. New York: Harper and Row, 24, 56, 66-67. ISBN 978-0-06-091441-7.
^ Waddle, Scott (2003). The Right Thing. Integrity Publishers, pp. xi (map/diagram). ISBN 1591450365. "This reference is for operating depth only"
^ Tyler, (1986). pp. 66-67, 156
^ "Notes in pp. 64-67: Deliberations of ad-hoc committee on SSN 688 design taken from confidential sources and from interviews with Admiral [Ret] Rickover...." From Tyler, p. 365
^ SSN-688 Los Angeles Class Design. Los Angeles Class at Globalsecurity.org. Accessed on April 29, 2008
^ Polmar & Moore, (2003). pp. 263
^ Treadwell Supplies Oxygen Generator Components for Nuclear Subs Defense Industry Daily 28-Jan-2008
^ Fairbanks Morse Engines Marine Installations Accessed on April 29, 2008
^ Auxiliary Division on USS Cheyenne USS CHEYENNE SSN-773 Department & Divisions from Federation of American Scientists. Accessed on April 29, 2008
^ Firefighting and Damage Control Update 181044Z JUN 98 (SUBS) Message COMSUBLANT (1998) Accessed on April 29, 2008
^ DiMercurio, Michael & Benson, Michael (2003), The complete idiot's guide to submarines, New York, NY: Alpha Books, pp. 49–52, ISBN 978-0-02-864471-4
^ Elger, Wallace (2007). "Development of Metal Fiber Electrical Brushes for 500kW SSMG Sets". Naval Engineers Journal 117 (4): 37–38.
^ Nuclear Propulsion Pressurized water Naval nuclear propulsion system at Federation of American Scientists Accessed on April 30, 2008
^ Clancy, Tom (1984). The Hunt for Red October. Naval Institute Press, 71, 77, 81. ISBN 0-87021-285-0.

References

This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain.

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