SSN-688 Los Angeles-class

The Los Angeles class SSN specifically included ASW against Soviet submarines trying to sink the US carrier and ASUW against capital ships in the Soviet surface action group [SAG]. The Los Angeles class SSN was designed almost exclusively for Carrier Battlegroup escort; they were fast, quiet, and could launch Mk48 and ADCAP torpedoes, Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles (no longer carried), and both land attack and anti-ship (no longer carried) Tomahawk cruise missiles. The new submarines showed another step improvement in quieting and an increase in operating speed to allow them to support the CVBG. Escort duties included conducting ASW sweeps hundreds of miles ahead of the CVBG and conducting attacks against the SAG.

Submarines of the Los Angeles class are among the most advanced undersea vessels of their type in the world. While anti-submarine warfare is still their primary mission, the inherent characteristics of the submarine's stealth, mobility and endurance are used to meet the challenges of today's changing global geopolitical climate. Submarines are able to get on station quickly, stay for an extended period of time and carry out a variety of missions including the deployment of special forces, minelaying, and precision strike land attack.

These 360 foot, 6,900-ton ship are well equipped to accomplish these tasks. Faster than her predecessors and possessing highly accurate sensors, weapons control systems and central computer complexes, the LOS ANGELES Class is armed with sophisticated MK-48 Advanced Capability anti-submarine/ship torpedoes, Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles, and mines.

These submarines were built in three successive variants:

• SSNs 618-718 - Orginal Los Angeles class
• SSNs 719-750 - Starting with SSN 719 and beyond the last 31 hulls of the class have 12 vertical launch tubes for the Tomahawk cruise missile, along with an upgraded reactor core.
• SSNs 751-773 - The final 23 hulls [SSN 751 and later] referred to as "688I" (for improved), are quieter, incorporate an advanced BSY-1 sonar suite combat system and the ability to lay mines from their torpedo tubes. They are configured for under-ice operations in that their forward diving planes have been moved from the sail structure to the bow and the sail has been strengthened for breaking through ice.

The submarines are outfitted with a wide variety of antennas, transmitters and receivers necessary to support accomplishment of their assigned tasks. Interior communication is possible on a wide range of circuits and sound powered phones which do not require electrical power and are reliable in battle situations. Various alarm and indicating circuits enable the Officer of the Deck and the Engineering Officer of the Watch to continuously monitor critical parameters and equipment located throughout the ship.

The nuclear power plant gives these boats the ability to remain deployed and submerged for extended periods of time. To take advantage of this, the ship is outfitted with auxiliary equipment to provide for the needs of the crew. Atmosphere control equipment replenishes oxygen used by the crew, and removes carbon dioxide and other atmosphere contaminants. The ship is equipped with two distilling plants which convert salt water to fresh water for drinking, washing and the propulsion plant. Sustained operation of the complex equipment and machinery on the ship requires the support of repair parts carried on board. The ship carries enough food to feed a crew of over one hundred for as long as 90 days.

Los Angeles class submarines are divided into two watertight compartments. The forward compartment houses all the living spaces, weapons systems, control centers, and sonar/fire control computers. The after compartment houses the nuclear reactor and the ship's propulsion equipment.

The engine room houses all the propulsion machinery, as well as the Ship's Service Turbine Generators that supply the ship's electricity, and the evaporator, which distills water for the propulsion plant and other shipboard use.

Located in the upper level of the forward compartment is the control room--the heart of the ship. The Officer of the Deck stands his watch here, controlling all activities on board. In control, the ship's location is continually determined and plotted, the course and depth are controlled, and all sonar contacts are tracked. The control room also functions as the attack center, where all of the ship's weapon systems are controlled. The sail helps to add stability to the submerged vessel. Additionally it houses all of the periscopes and antennae. In the forward top portion of the sail is the bridge. When the ship is on the surface, the Officer of the Deck will shift his watch to the bridge. Here he has clear view of all the surrounding waters, in addition to getting a breath of fresh air and seeing the welcome sun.

The middle level of the forward compartment is dedicated to the crew's living spaces. Here is found the mess decks and galley which, when underway, serve four meals a day, one every six hours (allowing for all watchstanders to get a hot meal). Also here are the berthing spaces. Here is the only personal space that a crewman gets--his bed (known as a "rack"). These racks are stacked three tall throughout the berthing spaces and have only a curtain to close them off from the rest of the boat. With this as the only private area on board, it is not uncommon to find pictures of family and friends put up on the wall in a rack along with personal cassette and CD players for entertainment. The wardroom is the officers' own room. Here is a big table around which the officers eat, relax, train, and work

The lower level of the forward compartment is the torpedo room. This room stores the ship's weapons which include MK-48 ADCAP torpedoes, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and mines. The torpedo room houses the handling equipment and access to the ship's four torpedo tubes. Weapons are moved from their stowage positions, loaded into the tubes, and readied for launch all in this room by the ship's torpedomen. The torpedo room also houses controls for the vertical launch tubes which add 12 more Tomahawk cruise missiles to the ship's load.

Housed in the very forward end of the submarine is the sonar sphere. This is an array of over 1,000 hydrophones which makes up part of the advanced sonar suite. Out in front of the ship, positions the sphere as far as possible from the ship's own noise, thereby giving it the best listening conditions.

As on almost all other US Navy ships, the crew is organized into departments. Each one has several Important jobs.

The Combat Systems Department is divided into four distinct divisions: Torpedo, Fire Control, Sonar and Deck. The personnel in each of these divisions are responsible for ensuring that the Weapons System is always maintained in a condition of maximum readiness.

The Submarine Advanced Combat System AN/BSY-1 is the latest in technology, combining the Sonar and Fire Control Systems. The Sonar portion, utilizing advanced array systems, can detect, classify, and track multiple contacts at extreme ranges under adverse conditions. The Fire Control portion provides weapons orders, as well as targeting information to the ship's four torpedo and twelve vertical launch tubes. The ship carries the latest variety of advanced submarine weaponry, including the MK-48 Advanced Capability Torpedo, The Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile and the Tomahawk Cruise Missile.

The Torpedo Division is manned by machinists, who stand their watch in the torpedo room. These personnel are required to have a detailed knowledge of the torpedo tubes, vertical launch tubes and the various weapons carried on board. The fire control technicians operate and maintain the systems associated with the ship's approach and attack capabilities.

The only non-technical division in the Combat Systems Department is the Deck Division, which is comprised of junior personnel responsible for maintaining the topside portion of the ship. They are charged with maintenance of the material integrity of the ship's structure, as well as painting and preservation of the ship's exterior.

The Engineering Department is divided into five distinct divisions: Auxiliary, Electrical, Machinery, Reactor Controls and Reactor Laboratory Divisions. The personnel in each of these divisions are responsible for the ship's propulsion systems, in order to support all underways.

The propulsion plant of a nuclear-powered ship is based on use of a nuclear reactor to provide heat. The heat comes from the fissioning of nuclear fuel contained within the reactor.

Auxiliary Division personnel are responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair and overall readiness of ship's support systems, including hydraulics, air systems atmosphere control, trim and drain, emergency diesel engine and all shipboard damage control equipment.

Machinery Division personnel are responsible for maintaining the ship's main propulsion plant, including secondary plant steam and auxiliary support systems.

Reactor Laboratory Division personnel maintain the reactor and steam plant, conduct radiological surveys and monitor the radiological exposure of the ship's personnel.

Electrical Division personnel operate and maintain the electrical power plant and associated equipment, including all electrical power-generating, storage and distribution systems as well as auxiliary electrical systems and equipment.

Reactor Control technicians ensure proper operation and maintenance of reactor controls equipment, protective systems and associated instrumentation.

The Executive Department consists of three components: The Chief of the Boat (COB); Yeoman, and Management and Material Maintenance Coordinator (3M). Their function is to assist the Executive Officer in the discharge of his administrative responsibilities.

Chief of the Boat is the principal enlisted advisor to the Commanding Officer in order to keep the command aware of existing or potential situations, procedures and practices which affect the welfare, morale, job satisfaction and use of enlisted members. As such, The Chief of the Boat reports directly to the Commanding Officer, orally, and/or by written report. In addition, the COB is the Administrative Assistant to the Executive Officer, supervising certain activities affecting the crew as a whole.

The yeoman are assistants to the Executive Officer for personnel, clerical and stenographic matters. They serve under the Personnel Officer. The yeoman are responsible for preparation and handling of all incoming and outgoing correspondence, maintaining officer and enlisted personnel records, preparation of routine personnel reports, maintenance of a complete library of manuals and instructions, and act as personal contact point for crew members in regard to administration and disbursing matters, to include but not limited to transportation arrangements, shipment of house hold goods and pay.

The Navigation and Operations Department, although having distinct and different purposes, are under the direct supervision of one officer. This department is composed of the Navigation Electronics, Radio, Interior Communications and Quartermaster divisions.

Navigation Electronics Technicians are responsible for ensuring the ship's position is accurately known. This is done by using the Electrostatic Gyro Navigator (ESGN). By using this highly accurate and completely independent navigation system, missile firing parameters for cruise missiles are maintained 24 hours per day to support strike operations as ordered by Battlegroup Commanders. Navigation Electronics Technicians also operate and maintain the radar and electronic surveillance equipment. In addition to navigation required to support the Weapon system, the Navigation Department is also charged with the responsibility of safely navigating the ship through coastal and restricted waters when proceeding to and from port. This form of navigation is performed via conventional means, such as radar and piloting using the ship's two periscopes and is accomplished by the Quartermasters. Radioman are charged with the responsibility of maintaining communications with Battlegroup and Type Commanders. In addition to this primary purpose, the Radio Room also processes family-grams (a 40-word personal message to each crew member from friends and family) and wire news service, keeping the crew members informed of the latest news back home.

The Medical Department is responsible for maintaining the crew's health. This involves performing routine physical examinations, conducting daily sanitation inspections and supervising the quality of drinking water, food and air. The Medical Department is prepared at all times to cope with any medical emergency. All necessary medications and supplies are available to manage anything from a simple headache to major surgery. The Medical Department is manned by a senior Hospital Corpsman who is specially trained to work in a submarine environment independent of a medical officer.

The Supply Department handles logistics and support functions common to all ships. Supply personnel must accomplish these functions despite limited space and with approximately one-third of the number of men assigned to a Supply Department aboard a surface ship, such as a destroyer. The department consists of the Culinary and Stores Divisions.

Mess Management Specialists order, receive, inspect and stow provisions. They plan menus and prepare meals. These men must uphold the reputation of the submarine force for outstanding meals. In general, the Storekeepers requisition, receive, stow and issue spare parts required for maintenance of shipboard equipment. They are also responsible for filing, conducting inventories and managing operating funds.