The Ethan Allen class of fleet ballistic missile submarine was an evolutionary development from the . The Ethan Allen, together with the George Washington, , , and classes comprised the "41 for Freedom" that were the Navy's main contribution to the nuclear deterrent force through the late 1980s.
Design Rather than being designed as attack submarines with a missile compartment added, the Ethan Allens were the first submarines designed "from the keel up" as Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) submarines carrying the Polaris A-2 missile - the Ethan Allen-class was the first to be designed under project SCB 180, and the George Washington-class was a subsequent design (SCB 180A) made for a quickly implemented mobilization effort. They were functionally similar to the George Washingtons, but longer and more streamlined and with torpedo tubes reduced to four. In the early and mid-1970s, they were upgraded to Polaris A3s. Because their missile tubes could not be modified to carry the larger diameter Poseidon missile, they were not further upgraded.
Conversions To comply with SALT II treaty limitations as the ballistic missile submarines entered service, in the early 1980s the Ethan Allens were refitted and officially designated SSNs (fast attack submarines), but often referred to as a "slow approach". Their missile fire control systems were removed and the missile tubes were filled with concrete. Sam Houston and John Marshall were further converted to carry SEALs or other Special Operations Forces, accommodating 67 troops each with dry deck shelters to accommodate SEAL Delivery Vehicles or other equipment. The Ethan Allen-class submarines were decommissioned between 1983 and 1992. All were disposed of through the nuclear Ship-Submarine Recycling Program 1992–1999.
Boats in class Submarines of the Ethan Allen class:California Center of Military History (dead link 2015-05-07)
Hull number Name Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Fate SSBN-608 General Dynamics Electric Boat14 September 195922 November 19608 August 196131 March 1983Disposed, 1999SSBN-609Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.28 December 19592 February 19616 March 19626 September 1991Disposed, 1992SSBN-610General Dynamics Electric Boat15 March 196015 June 196110 March 19621 December 1983Disposed, 1997SSBN-611 Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.4 April 196015 July 196121 May 196222 July 1992Disposed, 1993SSBN-6183 February 196124 February 19624 January 196324 January 1985Disposed, 1998
See also List of submarines of the United States Navy List of submarine classes of the United States Navy
References
External links
NavSource SSBN photo gallery index Federation of American Scientists