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.Polmar 1981, p.21. 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 (C4) 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.Daniel Webster at NavSource Here is a rare 1964 16mm Silent Film of USS Daniel Webster testing the unique "Funny Fins" diving planes off Cape Canaveral.
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 (Daniel Webster) remains out of commission but converted to a Moored Training Ship (MTS-626) with the missile compartment removed. She was stationed at Nuclear Power Training Unit Charleston, South Carolina, along with and until 2021, when she is preparing for inactivation.
Boats in class Submarines of the Lafayette class:Gardiner and Chumbley 1995, p.612. California Center for Military History (dead link 2015-05-05)
Hull number Name Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Fate SSBN-616General Dynamics Electric Boat17 January 19618 May 196223 April 196312 August 1991Disposed, 1992 SSBN-61726 June 196118 August 196227 June 196323 February 1993Disposed, 1994 SSBN-619Mare Island Naval Shipyard26 April 196115 September 19623 July 196331 August 1989Disposed, 1999 SSBN-620Portsmouth Naval Shipyard19 May 196112 January 196312 May 196424 March 1989Disposed, 1996 SSBN-622Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.31 July 19614 August 19627 December 196325 September 1990Disposed, 1995 SSBN-623General Dynamics Electric Boat2 October 196112 January 196323 November 19633 November 1986Disposed, 1994 SSBN-624Mare Island Naval Shipyard13 September 196122 February 196327 December 19631 September 1994Disposed, 1998 SSBN-625Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.23 October 196130 November 196220 February 19645 November 1990Disposed, 1997 SSBN-626General Dynamics Electric Boat28 December 196127 April 19639 April 196430 August 1990Preparing for inactivation in 2026
See also List of submarines of the United States Navy List of submarine classes of the United States Navy
References
Bibliography
Gardiner, Robert and Chumbley, Stephen (editors). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, USA: Naval Institute Press, 1995. . Polmar, Norman. The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet: Twelfth Edition. London:Arms and Armour Press, 1981. . US Naval Vessel Register - List of SSBN BALLISTIC MISSILE SUBMARINE (NUCLEAR-POWERED) Class vessels