Lafayette-class submarine


The Lafayette class of submarine was an evolutionary development from the of fleet ballistic missile submarine, slightly larger and generally improved. This class, together with the,,, and classes, composed the "41 for Freedom," the Navy's primary contribution to the nuclear deterrent force through the late 1980s. The James Madison and Benjamin Franklin classes are combined with the Lafayettes in some references.

Design

The first eight submarines initially deployed with the Polaris A-2 missile, later being refitted with the longer ranged Polaris A-3, with having the A-3 missile from the start. In the mid-1970s all were upgraded to carry the Poseidon C3 missile; their missile tubes were slightly larger than the Ethan Allen and George Washington classes and Poseidon was designed to take advantage of this. Unlike twelve of the similar James Madison and Benjamin Franklin classes, none of the Lafayette-class submarines were refitted with Trident I missiles.
The Lafayettes and their successors were equipped with a hovering system to manage trim more effectively when firing missiles; this increased the missile rate of fire from one per minute to four per minute.
Daniel Webster was originally built with diving planes mounted on a "mini-sail" near the bow, leading to her nickname "Old Funny Fins". This configuration, unique to US submarines, was an attempt to reduce the effect of porpoising. While successful, the "mini-sail" required to contain the operating mechanism reduced hydrodynamic efficiency and lowered her overall speed. During a mid-1970s overhaul these unusual planes were removed and standard fairwater planes were installed.

Fate

The Lafayettes were decommissioned between 1986 and 1992, due to a combination of SALT II treaty limitations as the SSBNs entered service, age, and the collapse of the Soviet Union. One remains out of commission but converted to a Moored Training Ship with the missile compartment removed. She is stationed at Nuclear Power Training Unit Charleston, South Carolina, along with.

Boats in class

Submarines of the Lafayette class:
Name and hull numberBuilderLaid DownLaunchedCommissionedFate
General Dynamics Electric Boat17 January 19618 May 196223 April 1963Decommissioned 12 August 1991. Disposed of through Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, 1992
General Dynamics Electric Boat26 June 196118 August 196227 June 1963Decommissioned 23 February 1993. Disposed of through Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, 1994
Mare Island Naval Shipyard26 April 196115 September 19623 July 1963Decommissioned 31 August 1989. Disposed of through Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, 1999
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard19 May 196112 January 196312 May 1964Decommissioned 24 March 1989. Disposed of through Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, 1996
Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.31 July 19614 August 19627 December 1963Decommissioned 25 September 1990. Disposed of through Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, 1995
General Dynamics Electric Boat2 October 196112 January 196323 November 1963Decommissioned 3 November 1986. Disposed of through Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, 1994
Mare Island Naval Shipyard13 September 196122 February 196327 December 1963Decommissioned 1 September 1994. Disposed of through Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, 1998
Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.23 October 196130 November 196220 February 1964Decommissioned 5 November 1990. Disposed of through Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, 1997
General Dynamics Electric Boat28 December 196127 April 19639 April 1964Decommissioned 30 August 1990. Converted to Moored Training Ship with missile compartment removed.