Ethan Allen-class submarine

Template:Infobox ship imageTemplate:Infobox ship class overviewTemplate:Infobox ship characteristics

The Ethan Allen class of fleet ballistic missile submarine was an evolutionary development from the Template:Sclass. The Ethan Allen, together with the George Washington, Template:Sclass, Template:Sclass, and Template:Sclass 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 Template:Sclass 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.<ref name="FriedmanSubs1" /> 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,<ref name="Polmar p22"> Template:Citation</ref> they were not further upgraded.

Conversions

To comply with SALT II treaty limitations as the Template:Sclass 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.<ref name="Conways p612"> Template:Citation</ref> All were disposed of through the nuclear Ship-Submarine Recycling Program 1992–1999.

Boats in class

Submarines of the Ethan Allen class:<ref Name=FAS/><ref name="Conways p612"/><ref>California Center of Military History (dead link 2015-05-07) Template:Webarchive</ref>

Hull number	Name	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Decommissioned	Fate
SSBN-608	Template:USS	General Dynamics Electric Boat	14 September 1959	22 November 1960	8 August 1961	31 March 1983	Disposed,Template:Efn 1999
SSBN-609	Template:USS	Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.	28 December 1959	2 February 1961	6 March 1962	6 September 1991	Disposed,Template:Efn 1992
SSBN-610	Template:USS	General Dynamics Electric Boat	15 March 1960	15 June 1961	10 March 1962	1 December 1983	Disposed,Template:Efn 1997
SSBN-611	Template:USS	Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.	4 April 1960	15 July 1961	21 May 1962	22 July 1992	Disposed,Template:Efn 1993
SSBN-618	Template:USS		3 February 1961	24 February 1962	4 January 1963	24 January 1985	Disposed,Template:Efn 1998
Template:Notelist

See also

• List of submarines of the United States Navy
• List of submarine classes of the United States Navy

References

• Template:DANFS

External links

• NavSource SSBN photo gallery index
• Federation of American Scientists