US Nuclear Submarines: The Fast AttackThe adoption of nuclear power revolutionized submarine design and means that vessels can stay underwater for months, trailing the enemy or training weapons on land targets from secret positions, “always there, never seen.” Jim Christley, a former submariner, explores here the influence of Admiral Hyman Rickover in cautiously introducing these stealthy machines of war, and frankly discusses the power and perils of using nuclear reactors at sea. Using unique and detailed artwork, he outlines the many evolving aspects of design within the submarine classes, from the very first nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus, to the classes under construction even now. |
Contents
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EVOLUTION NAUTILUS TO VIRGINIA | 5 |
FAST ATTACK SUBMARINE SENSORS | 32 |
HISTORY AND OPERATIONAL USE | 40 |
BIBLIOGRAPHY | 47 |
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Common terms and phrases
23ft long antennae Armament Torpedo tubes author’s note Complement ballast tanks became Class boat Class consists control room crew Decommissioned Design test depth diesel-electric Dimensions Length Displacement surfaced/submerged Endurance Only limited engine room equipment fast attack submarine fire-control system fleet submarine handling various types hull form hydrophone knots limited by supplies long by 21in Mk 48 ADCAP naval Navy note Complement officer/enlisted nuclear fast attack Permit Class Permit Class submarine powerplant reactor compartment rescue sail planes Seawolf Class sensors Service history ship Skate Class Skipjack Class snorkel sonar system Soviet spherical array Sturgeon Class submarine design submarine force submarine’s SubRoc SubSafe supplies Design test surface Tang Class target Tomahawk missiles tons Speed surfaced/submerged torpedo room towed array tubes and fire-control turbine types of torpedo USS Dallas SSN-700 USS Jimmy Carter USS Pittsburgh SSN-720 USS Seadragon SSN-584 USS Seawolf USS Skate USS Thresher Vanguard Virginia Class weapon