Seawolf-class submarine
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| Seawolf-class submarine | |
|---|---|
| Name | Seawolf class |
| Caption | Seawolf, SSN-21 underway in 1998 |
| Builders | General Dynamics Electric Boat |
| Operators | United States Navy |
| Class before | Los Angeles-class submarine |
| Class after | Virginia-class submarine |
| In commission | 1997–present |
| Planned | 29 |
| Cancelled | 26 |
| Type | Nuclear-powered attack submarine |
| Displacement | Surfaced: 8,600 tons, Submerged: 9,138 tons |
| Length | 353 ft (107.6 m) |
| Beam | 40 ft (12.2 m) |
| Draught | 35 ft (10.7 m) |
| Propulsion | 1 × S6W PWR nuclear reactor, 2 × turbines, 1 shaft, pump-jet propulsor |
| Speed | 25+ knots (29+ mph; 46+ km/h) official, 35+ knots (40+ mph; 65+ km/h) reported |
| Range | Unlimited except by food supplies |
| Endurance | Only limited by crew endurance and food |
| Test depth | 1,600 ft (490 m) official, 2,000 ft (610 m) estimated |
| Complement | 140 officers and enlisted (15 officers) |
| Sensors | AN/BQQ-10 sonar suite, AN/BPS-16 radar, AN/BLQ-10 electronic warfare support |
| Armament | 8 × 30-inch (762 mm) torpedo tubes, 50 × Mk-48 ADCAP torpedoes, Tomahawk missiles, Harpoon missiles, mines |
Seawolf-class submarine. The Seawolf class is a class of nuclear-powered, fast attack submarines designed and built for the United States Navy during the late Cold War. Intended as a successor to the prolific Los Angeles-class submarine, the class was conceived for deep-ocean, blue-water dominance against the advanced submarine fleet of the Soviet Navy. Only three boats were completed before the program was drastically curtailed following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, making them among the most capable, complex, and expensive submarines ever constructed.
Design and development
The design and development of the class was initiated in the 1980s under the Submarine Advanced Combat System project, driven by intelligence on new, quieter Soviet submarines like the Akula-class submarine. Primary design goals, managed by General Dynamics Electric Boat, included exceptional acoustic stealth, increased operational depth, and formidable armament. The design incorporated a new, HY-100 high-strength steel alloy for the pressure hull, a significantly larger S6W reactor plant, and an innovative pump-jet propulsor for reduced noise. The program faced immense technical challenges and cost overruns, with the United States Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney initially seeking its cancellation before Congress authorized completion of the first three hulls.
Specifications
The specifications of the class reflect its extreme performance parameters. Each boat is 353 feet long with a beam of 40 feet and a submerged displacement of over 9,100 tons. Propulsion is provided by a single S6W reactor driving two steam turbines through a single shaft connected to the pump-jet. Official speed is listed as over 25 knots, though reported capabilities are significantly higher. The test depth is officially 1,600 feet, with analysts estimating a crush depth nearing 2,000 feet. The sensor suite is centered on the large-aperture, spherical AN/BQQ-10 sonar array, integrated with the AN/BLQ-10 electronic warfare system. Armament is deployed through eight 30-inch torpedo tubes capable of launching a mix of 50 Mk-48 ADCAP torpedoes, Tomahawk land-attack missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and naval mines.
Service history
The service history of the boats has been defined by their role as premier intelligence, surveillance, and special operations platforms. was commissioned in 1997 and has conducted numerous clandestine missions, including under-ice operations in the Arctic Ocean. was commissioned in 1998 and gained notoriety for a 2021 grounding on an uncharted seamount in the South China Sea. was commissioned in 2005 and underwent a unique, multi-billion dollar modification, including a 100-foot hull extension, for specialized missions such as cable-tapping and deploying Navy SEALs from a dedicated ocean interface. All three are assigned to Submarine Development Squadron 5 based at Naval Base Kitsap in Washington.
Boats in class
The three boats in class are: * – Commissioned 19 July 1997, homeported at Naval Base Kitsap. * – Commissioned 11 December 1998, homeported at Naval Base Kitsap. * – Commissioned 19 February 2005, homeported at Naval Base Kitsap.
See also
* Virginia-class submarine * Los Angeles-class submarine * Akula-class submarine * Submarine warfare * Naval Submarine Base New London
Category:Submarine classes Category:Cold War submarines of the United States Category:Seawolf-class submarines