USS Los Angeles (SSN-688)

USS Los Angeles (SSN-688) is a Los Angeles-class submarine that was commissioned on November 13, 1976, at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. The submarine was named after the city of Los Angeles, California, and was sponsored by Anne Armstrong, a former Counselor to the President under Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. The USS Los Angeles was the lead ship of its class, which includes USS Philadelphia (SSN-690), USS Memphis (SSN-691), and USS Omaha (SSN-692). The submarine's construction was overseen by the United States Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command and was built by Newport News Shipbuilding, with General Dynamics Electric Boat providing design and engineering support.

● Introduction

The USS Los Angeles was designed to be a highly advanced nuclear-powered submarine, with a pressurized water reactor and a steam turbine propulsion system, similar to those used on USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and USS Enterprise (CVN-65). The submarine's design was influenced by the United States Navy's experience with World War II-era submarines, such as USS Gato (SS-212) and USS Balao (SS-285), as well as the Soviet Navy's November-class submarine and Victor-class submarine. The USS Los Angeles was also designed to be highly maneuverable, with a diesel-electric submarine-style propulsion system and a planar array sonar system, similar to those used on USS Sturgeon (SSN-637) and USS Narwhal (SSN-671).

● Design and Construction

The USS Los Angeles was constructed using a welded steel hull, with a double hull design to provide additional strength and stability, similar to the design used on USS Triton (SSRN-586) and USS George Washington (SSBN-598). The submarine's nuclear reactor was designed and built by Westinghouse Electric Corporation, with General Electric providing the steam turbine and electric generator. The USS Los Angeles was also equipped with a BQR-15 sonar system, a BQS-15 sonar system, and a Mk 48 torpedo torpedo tube, similar to those used on USS Dallas (SSN-700) and USS La Jolla (SSN-701). The submarine's construction was overseen by the United States Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command, with Captain James L. Holloway III serving as the project manager.

● Operational History

The USS Los Angeles was commissioned on November 13, 1976, and began its operational career with the United States Pacific Fleet, under the command of Captain Donald M. Miller. The submarine participated in several NATO exercises, including Exercise Northern Wedding and Exercise Ocean Safari, and made port visits to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Subic Bay, Philippines. The USS Los Angeles also conducted several deterrence patrols, similar to those conducted by USS George Washington (SSBN-598) and USS Ethan Allen (SSBN-608), and was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Navy E Ribbon. The submarine was also involved in several notable events, including the Achille Lauro hijacking and the Gulf of Sidra incident, and was supported by United States Naval Base Pearl Harbor and Naval Station Subic Bay.

● Decommissioning and Disposal

The USS Los Angeles was decommissioned on February 23, 2010, after 34 years of service, and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on March 4, 2010. The submarine was then transferred to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for disposal, where it was scrapped and recycled, similar to the disposal of USS Nautilus (SSN-571) and USS Seawolf (SSN-575). The USS Los Angeles's nuclear reactor was removed and disposed of at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, and the submarine's hull was cut into sections and sold for scrap, with the proceeds going to support the United States Navy's shipbuilding program.

● Specifications

The USS Los Angeles had a length of 362 feet (110 m) and a beam of 33 feet (10 m) and a draft of 29 feet (8.8 m), similar to the dimensions of USS Dallas (SSN-700) and USS La Jolla (SSN-701). The submarine had a displacement of 6,900 tons and a top speed of over 25 knots (46 km/h) and was equipped with four 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes and could carry up to 26 Mk 48 torpedoes, similar to the armament of USS Bremerton (SSN-698) and USS Jacksonville (SSN-699). The USS Los Angeles had a crew of 127 officers and enlisted men and was supported by United States Naval Base Pearl Harbor and Naval Station Subic Bay. Category:Los Angeles-class submarines