NAVYPEDIA

Photo

George Washington

Ships

No	Name	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comm	Fate
SSBN598, 11.1981- SSN598	George Washington (ex-Scorpion)	152	Electric Boat, Groton	1.11.1957	9.6.1959	30.12.1959	attack nuclear-powered submarine 11.1981, stricken 1.1985
SSBN599, 10.1981- SSN599	Patrick Henry	153	Electric Boat, Groton	27.5.1958	22.9.1959	11.4.1960	attack nuclear-powered submarine 10.1981, stricken 12.1985
SSBN600	Theodore Roosevelt (ex-Scamp)		Mare Island N Yd, Vallejo	20.5.1958	3.10.1959	13.2.1961	stricken 12.1982
SSBN601, 3.1982- SSN601	Robert E. Lee	547	Newport News SB	25.8.1958	18.12.1959	16.9.1960	attack nuclear-powered submarine 3.1982, stricken 11.1983
SSBN602	Abraham Lincoln		Portsmouth N Yd, Kittery	1.11.1958	14.5.1960	8.3.1961	stricken 2.1981

Technical data

Displacement standard, t
Displacement normal, t	5959 / 6709
Length, m	113.9 wl 116.4 oa
Breadth, m	10.1
Draught, m	8.10
No of shafts	1
Machinery	2 sets General Electric geared steam turbines, 1 Westinghouse S5W nuclear reactor
Power, h. p.	15000
Max speed, kts	16 / 22
Fuel, t	nuclear
Endurance, nm(kts)	practically unlimited
Armament	16 Polaris A-1 SLBM (UGM-27A), 6 - 533 Mk 59 TT (bow, 12)
Electronic equipment	BPS-12 radar, BQS-4, BQR-2 sonars
Complement	112
Diving depth operational, m	210

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

The first US ballistic missile submarines, these vessels were converted from Skipjack class attack submarines under construction, by the addition of a 39.6m missile section amidships; they have the S5W reactor and the six bow torpedo tubes of the earlier submarines, but reportedly with much reduced torpedo loads. All were converted from Polaris A-1 to A-3 missiles, but could nor accommodate Poseidon; they were deactivated in 1980-81 to make way for the Ohio class.

Several alternative proposals for future use were made. For example, up to eight cruise missiles can be accommodated in a single Polaris tube. Beginning late in 1980, the missile sections of Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln were physically removed, both units decommissioned, where they remained on the Navy List in two pieces. Missile tubes on other three submarines were filled with cement, and missile fire control system removed.

Modernizations

1966, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Robert E. Lee; 1967, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln: - 16 Polaris A-1 SLBM (UGM-27A); + 16 Polaris A-3 SLBM (UGM-27C)

1981, George Washington, Patrick Henry; 1982, Robert E. Lee: - 16 Polaris A-3 SLBM (UGM-27C)

Naval service

No significant events.