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The Navy’s Los Angeles-Class Is America’s Most Successful Submarine

Los Angeles-Class
Los Angeles-Class. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Key Points and Summary: The Los Angeles-class submarines, introduced in the 1970s, have been the cornerstone of the U.S. Navy’s Silent Service for decades.

-With 24 still active, these fast attack subs boast advanced sonar, stealth, and the ability to launch Tomahawk and Harpoon missiles.

-Post-1982 models, known as “Improved 688s,” added vertical launch tubes and under-ice capabilities.

-Originally built to replace the Sturgeon-class, the Los Angeles-class has proven its versatility in warfare, reconnaissance, and carrier group support.

-Though slowly being replaced by the Virginia-class, the Los Angeles-class remains a symbol of American naval strength and innovation, marking a legacy of unmatched success.

The Los Angeles-class Submarines, The Backbone of the Silent Service

The Los Angeles (SSN 688)-class submarines are the backbone of the United States Navy’s submarine force, with 24 boats now on active duty and equipped with 12 Vertical Launch System tubes for firing Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The Navy procured 62 of these subs from 1970–1990.

The Los Angeles-class is considered the best and most successful submarine in the United States’ history.

The most famous Los Angeles-class submarine is probably the USS Dallas, SSN 700, which figured prominently in Tom Clancy‘s book Hunt for Red October.

The feature film of the same title starred Scott Glenn as Commander Bart Mancuso. 

The Los Angeles class is a larger, faster successor to the Sturgeon-class submarines built in the 1960s. It features enhanced stealth capabilities and is equipped with advanced sensors, sonar, and a vertical-launch missile system.

The Los Angeles class could engage in surface warfare, undersea warfare, and support carrier battle groups. 

Its capabilities include wartime functions such as undersea warfare, surface warfare, strike warfare, mining operations, special forces delivery, reconnaissance, carrier battle group support and escort, and intelligence collection.

The Los Angeles class submarines, built after 1982, are called “Improved 688s” (I688s). They are quieter, incorporate an advanced combat system, and are configured for under-ice operation. The diving planes on the submarine were moved from the sail to the bow, and the sail was strengthened to break through ice.

The I688s also have twelve vertical launch tubes for Tomahawk Cruise Missiles.

Los Angeles-class Specs:

The Newport News Shipbuilding Co., General Dynamics Electric Boat Division, manufactures the 688s with 16 Officers and 127 Enlisted crew members.

Displacement: 6082 tons ( surfaced) / 6927 tons (submerged)

Length: 109,73 meters

Beam: 10,06 meters

Draft: 9,4 meters

Speed: 25+ knots (46+ km/h), max.

Propulsion: 1 x Westinghouse S6G nuclear reactor / 26MW delivering 35000 shp / 1 shaft / 1 propeller

The subs use the Raytheon AN/BYG-2 Combat Control System and are designed to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles and Harpoon missiles vertically. 

The sub can carry 26 torpedo tube-launched weapons, including Tomahawk missiles, Harpoon missiles, and Mark 48 ADCAP torpedoes to combat high-performance ships and fast attack submarines.

The submarine is fitted with four 533mm torpedo tubes in midships and a Mark 117 torpedo fire control system. 

“The torpedo is capable of operating with or without wire guidance and uses either or both active and passive homing. It is equipped with multiple re-attack modes which operate if the target ship is missed. The torpedo carries out programmed target search, acquisition, and attack procedures,” Naval Technology wrote. 

Los Angeles-class Subs, Put the Fast In Fast Attack Subs

While the exact speeds of the Los Angeles-class submarines are classified, the Navy has said the boat can travel at 25+ knots. Many naval analysts believe that the top speed is 30-33 knots. Tom Clancy thought the sub could rip off 37 knots (42.5 mph) at top speed. 

US Navy Los-Angeles Attack Submarine. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

US Navy Los-Angeles Attack Submarine. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

The Los Angeles-class is powered by a General Electric S6G pressurized water reactor, a 165-megawatt reactor that drives two 26-MW steam turbines. 

Each Los Angeles has an array of sensors and sonars, including the AN/BQQ-5 sensor suite, which gives the subs sonar capability. The AN-BBQ-5 was derived from the AN-BQQ-2 sonar system.

The Los Angeles-Class Is Slowly Being Phased Out

The submarines have had more than a 40-year career, and in the late 1990s, the Los Angeles-class was slated for replacement by the Seawolf class. But the Navy built only three of the advanced Seawolfs.

It wasn’t until 2004 that the Navy commissioned its first Virginia-class submarine. 

Los Angeles-Class

Los Angeles-Class Attack Submarine. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

The Navy has thus far produced 22 of the newest Virginia-class boats. And with each one commissioned, the Navy retires a Los Angeles sub.

The retired subs have served the Navy and the country well. 

It may indeed be the most successful submarine in the history of the United States Navy

About the Author: 

Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in other military publications.

Written By

Steve Balestrieri is a 1945 National Security Columnist. He has served as a US Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer before injuries forced his early separation. In addition to writing for 1945, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and his work was regularly featured in the Millbury-Sutton Chronicle and Grafton News newspapers in Massachusetts.

5 Comments

5 Comments

  1. Kevin

    January 18, 2025 at 12:47 pm

    Cmon, man. The pic at the start of your article is a Virginia class. Do better.

  2. Ben

    January 18, 2025 at 2:22 pm

    This might be the most inaccurate article about submarines I have ever seen. Starting with the first picture of a Virginia class boat.

  3. William Donaldson

    January 19, 2025 at 12:11 am

    Could be a Seawolf Class

  4. LARRY Ciummo

    January 21, 2025 at 10:05 pm

    Not a Seawolf – photonics mast raised

  5. LARRY Ciummo

    January 22, 2025 at 10:04 am

    SeaWolf has no photonics mast.

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