Attack Submarines (SSNs) General Characteristics

The Navy has three classes of attack submarines in service as follows:

Class: Seawolf Class Submarines

Displacement:
* 11,149 Tons (Light) 16,883 Tons (Full)

Length:
* 353 Ft.(108m)

Beam:
* 40 Ft. (12m))

Draft:
* 36 Ft. (11m)

Propulsion:
* 1 - S6W nuclear reactor
* 1 - Shaft

Test Depth:
* Greater Than 800 Ft.

Speed:
* 25+ Knots Submerged, 18+ Knots Surfaced

Complement:
* 15 Officers
* 101 Enlisted

The 3rd submarine of this class, U.S.S. Jimmy Carter (SSN23), has a
100-foot hull extension known as the multi-mission platform. This
hull section provides for additional payloads to accommodate
advanced technology used to carry out classified research and
development, and for enhanced warfighting capabilities.

Class: Los Angeles Class Submarines - main force; 28 still in commission.

Displacement:

* Surfaced: 6,082 tons (5,986 long tons)
* Submerged: 6,927 tons (6,818 long tons)

Length:
* 362 Ft. (110m)

Beam:
* 33 Ft. (10m)

Draft:
* 31 Ft. (9.4m)

Propulsion:
* 1 - S6G nuclear reactor (150-165 MW)
* 2 - steam turbines (30,000-33,500) shp
* 1 - shaft
* 1 - secondary propulsion motor 325 hp (242 kW)

Speed:
* Surfaced: 20 Knots (23 mph; 37 km/h)
* Submerged: 20 Knots (23 mph; 37 km/h) (official), 33+ Knots (reported)

Range:
* Refueling required after 30 years

Endurance:
* 90 days

Test depth:
* 950 Ft. (290 m)

Complement:
* 15 Officers
* 120 Enlisted

Class: Virginia Class Submarines - latest generation; 19 in commission so far.

Designed By:
* General Dynamics's Electric Boat (EB)
* Huntington Ingalls Industries

Displacement:
* 7,800 Tons

Length:
* 377 Ft. (115m)

Beam:
* 34 Ft. (10.4m)

Draft:
* 32 Ft. (9.8m)

Propulsion:
* 1 - S9G nuclear reactor (150-165 MW)
* 1 - auxiliary diesel engine

Speed:
* 25 knots (46 km/h)

Endurance:
* Can remain submerged indefinitely dependent on food stores

Test Depth:
* greater than 800 Ft. (244 m)

Complement:
* 15 officers
* 120 enlisted personnel

The Navy continues to build this next-generation attack submarine.
As they commision them, they will replace Los Angeles Class submarines
as they retire. They incorporate the latest in stealth, intelligence gathering
and weapons systems technology. The Virginia class also has several
innovations that significantly enhance its fighting capabilities within the
littoral environment including a fly-by-wire ship control system that provides
improved shallow-water ship handling.