Los Angeles-Class: The Heart of the U.S. Navy’s Sub Fleet

[rangerrebew]

Los Angeles-Class: The Heart of the U.S. Navy’s Sub Fleet
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By Peter Suciu
December 18, 2020


Between 1972 and 1996, the United States Navy took delivery of 62 of its Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarines (SSN). Also known as the 688 – pronounced “Six-Eighty-Eight” after the hull of the lead vessel USS Los Angeles (SSN-688) – the submarines were built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (formerly Newport News Shipbuilding) and General Dynamics Electric Boat Division.

As of the end of 2020, thirty of the boats have been retired and four more laid up, while twenty-eight remain in active service. Despite the number that has been retired, there are still more active Los Angeles-class submarines in service than any other class in the world.

Techncial Data

https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2020/12/18/los_angeles-class_the_heart_of_the_us_navys_sub_fleet_653712.html

[PeteS in CA]

In 1982, after the first "flight" of 31, vertical launch tubes to accommodate Tomahawk missiles were added. The final 23 (the third "flight"?), "688i", had significant upgrades for improved quietness and sensors.