Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (1958-61), service 1959-1985: USS George Washington, Patrick Henry, Theodore Roosevelt, Robert E. Lee, Abraham Lincoln (SSBN-598 to 602) The George Washington class were the first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines deployed by the United States Navy, a class derived frolm the Skipjack class SSN to gain time (essentially stretched to fit missile … Read more
Midget Submarines (1955) (1952-1970) The USN followed British midget subs progresses in 1950, and tested that year the XE-7 on loan, which led to the SBC 65 programme. X-1 was the result. This United States Navy Midget Submarine was laid down on 8 June 1954 at Deer Park in Long Island (New York) by the … Read more
Nuclear Powered Attack Submarine (SSN-597) (1960-1988) USS Tullibee (SSN-597), a unique SSN, second of the name and the smallest in the USN. At 273 feet long, 2,640 tons displacement, she was originally designed in a “hunter-killer” role and then redesignated attack submarine. She had a rich career and conducted many submarine firsts. She notably submerged … Read more
Nuclear Powered Attack Submarines: USS Skipjack, Scamp, Scorpion, Sculpin, Shark, Snook (SSN-585 to 592) 1956-1990 The Skipjack class (project SCB 154) were six Navy nuclear submarines entering service in 1959-60: Skipjack, Scamp, Scorpion, Sculpin, Shark, Snook, introducing the teardrop hull and new S5W reactor and really quickstarting the second generation of USN nuclear submarines. They … Read more
Conventional attack submarines: USS Barbel, Blueback, Bonefish (SS-580 to SS-582) 1956-1990 The Barbel-class submarines were the last diesel-electric propelled attack submarines for the United States Navy. They also incorporated a lot of innovations, starting with their teardrop hull derived from USS Albacore (AGSS-569), and combined a control room and attack center under the conning tower. … Read more
Research Conventional Submarine 1953-1972. The Teardrop Marvel USS Albacore (AGSS-569) is a single prototype submarine pioneering a home-grown version of the teardrop hull shape, really starting the modern submarine shape. This revolutionary design was derived from extensive hydrodynamic and wind tunnel testing in order to reach an unprecedented underwater speed and enhance agility. USS Albacore … Read more
Conventional Training Submarines: USS Mackerel, Marlin 1953-1973. T-1/T-2 later SST-1/SST-2 The T-1-class submarines were among the smallest operational submarines ever built for the United States Navy. Two experimental midgets designed for training submarine personnel, testing new equipments. They would have a career spanning 19 years, started under the programme SCB 68 experimental auxiliary submarine (AGSS-570) … Read more
Nuclear Attack Submarines: USS Skate, Swordfish, Sargo, Seadragon SSN-578, 579, 583, 584. 1957-1995. The first USN SSN class The Skate class was the first coherent class of nuclear-powered attack submarines after two prototypes, USS Nautilus and USS Seawolf. The second tested a new type of sodium-cooled reactor that was not chosen for this class, following … Read more
Conventional Cruise Missile Attack Submarines: USS Grayback, Growler SSG-574, 577. 1958-1964. The first US cruise missile submarines Development In the leading up to the first ballistic submarines, both the USA and USSR experimented with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles, which easier to build. The impetus were the first V-1 missiles obtained from Germany, as well as blueprints … Read more
