Los Angeles-class Submarine (SSN-688)

Full Specifications

Los Angeles-Class SSN-688: Backbone of U.S. Attack Submarine Fleet

The Los Angeles-class (SSN-688) nuclear-powered attack submarines are the enduring workhorses of the U.S. Navy’s undersea fleet. Designed and built by Newport News Shipbuilding and Electric Boat (General Dynamics), these submarines entered service in 1976 and have formed the core of America’s deep-sea deterrent ever since.

Developed during the height of the Cold War, the Los Angeles-class was engineered to counter advanced Soviet submarines while maintaining a multi-mission profile. The SSN-688 combines speed, endurance, and versatility, performing roles such as anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), intelligence collection, and cruise missile strikes.

Powered by a S6G nuclear reactor, the submarine achieves speeds exceeding 30 knots (56 km/h) underwater with near-limitless range. Later variants — the Improved Los Angeles (688i) models — feature Vertical Launch System (VLS) tubes for Tomahawk cruise missiles, enhanced quieting, and advanced sonar arrays for superior detection and tracking.

Armed with four 533 mm torpedo tubes, the SSN-688 can launch Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs). Its BQQ-5 sonar suite, BPS-15 radar, and sophisticated EW systems enable effective operations in contested waters.

Over 60 submarines were constructed between 1976 and 1996, forming the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s attack submarine fleet for decades. Although gradually replaced by Virginia-class submarines, many Los Angeles-class boats remain active, continuing to uphold the U.S. Navy’s global undersea dominance.

Los Angeles-Class SSN-688 Price

The estimated unit cost of a Los Angeles-class submarine was around $1.6 billion (modern equivalent) at the time of production. Operational costs depend on refit and modernization programs under U.S. Navy maintenance schedules.