USS Kentucky (SSBN-737)

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USS Kentucky (SSBN-737)
USS Kentucky (SSBN-737).jpg
USS Kentucky (SSBN-737)
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
Namesake U.S. state of Kentucky
Ordered13 August 1985
Builder General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut
Laid down18 December 1987
Launched11 August 1990
Sponsored byCarolyn Pennebaker Hopkins
Commissioned13 July 1991
Homeport Bangor, Washington
MottoThoroughbred of the Fleet
Honors and
awards
Statusin active service
Badge 737insig.png
General characteristics
Class and type Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine
Displacement
  • 16,764 long tons (17,033 t) surfaced [1] [2]
  • 18,750 long tons (19,050 t) submerged [1]
Length560 ft (170 m)
Beam42 ft (13 m) [1]
Draft38 ft (12 m)
Propulsion
SpeedGreater than 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) [5]
Test depthGreater than 800 feet (240 m) [5]
Complement
Armament

USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine which has been in commission since 1991. She is the third U.S. Navy ship to be named for Kentucky, the 15th state.

Contents

Construction and commissioning

The contract to build Kentucky was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, on 13 August 1985 and her keel was laid down there on 18 December 1987. She was launched on 11 August 1990, sponsored by Carolyn Pennebaker Hopkins, who used a custom blend of Kentucky bourbon whiskey, mixed for the occasion, rather than the traditional bottle of champagne to christen Kentucky. She was commissioned on 13 July 1991, with Captain Michael G. Riegel commanding the Blue Crew and Captain Joseph Henry commanding the Gold Crew.

Service history

Kentucky firing an SLBM in 2015 as part of a test. 151107-N-ZZ999-001 - SLBM being launched from USS Kentucky.jpg
Kentucky firing an SLBM in 2015 as part of a test.

On 19 March 1998 south of Long Island, New York, Kentucky collided with the attack submarine USS San Juan (SSN-751). No personnel suffered any injuries. [6] The two submarines were conducting a joint training drill prior to deployment. One of Kentucky's stern planes was slightly damaged; San Juan's forward ballast tank was breached, but San Juan was able to surface and return to port. Kentucky returned to patrol the next day.[ citation needed ]

In both 2001 and 2002, Kentucky's Gold Crew won first place in the United States Atlantic Fleet in the Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award Submarine Afloat Galley competition for outstanding food service. [7]

Kentucky's Blue and Gold Crews were awarded the Omaha Trophy for service as the best ballistic missile submarine in 2009. [8]

On 12 October 2011, Kentucky had only her periscope above water, when she turned onto a new course that was blocked by the Totem Ocean ship Midnight Sun. The submarine came into close contact of about 800 meters with the freighter near British Columbia in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. [9]

In January 2012 USS Kentucky entered her Engineering Refueling Overhaul (ERO) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. [10]

On 7 November 2015, an unarmed missile launched from Kentucky during a test caused buzz on social media as it was mistaken for a UFO or meteor. The launch was also widely reported by the Southern California broadcast media. [11] [12]

On 13 March 2016, following completion of her ERO, Kentucky deployed for the boat's first strategic deterrent mission since 2011. [13]

On July 18 2023, Kentucky made a port visit to the Busan Naval Base in South Korea, the first such visit in over forty years. Just days prior, USS Tennessee (SSBN-734) made a port visit to HMNB Clyde in Scotland. This was allegedly conducted as a show of force and to demonstrate the capabilities of the U.S. SSBN Fleet. During the visit, the President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol toured the submarine. U.S. General Paul LaCamera, commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, called the USS Kentucky a strategic American asset for extended deterrence, adding that the first visit by an American SSBN to Korea in over 40 years shows the "ironclad U.S. commitment to defending the Republic of Korea."

Related Research Articles

<i>Ohio</i>-class submarine Class of US nuclear ballistic missile submarines

The Ohio class of nuclear-powered submarines includes the United States Navy's 14 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and its four cruise missile submarines (SSGNs). Each displacing 18,750 tons submerged, the Ohio-class boats are the largest submarines ever built for the U.S. Navy. They are also the third-largest submarines ever built, behind the Russian Navy's Soviet era 48,000-ton Typhoon class, the last of which was retired in 2023, and 24,000-ton Borei class. Capable of carrying 24 Trident II missiles apiece, the Ohio class are equipped with just as many missiles as, if not more than, either the Borei class (16) or the deactivated Typhoon class (20).

USS <i>Ohio</i> (SSGN-726) Submarine of the United States

USS Ohio (SSBN-726/SSGN-726), the lead boat of her class of nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), is the fourth vessel of the United States Navy to be named for the U.S. state of Ohio. She was commissioned with the hull designation of SSBN-726, and with her conversion to a guided missile submarine she was re-designated SSGN-726.

USS <i>Louisiana</i> (SSBN-743) Submarine of the United States

USS Louisiana (SSBN-743) is the 18th and last ship of the United States Navy's Ohio class of nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarines. She carries Trident ballistic missiles and has been in commission since 1997. She is the fourth commissioned ship to bear the name of the U.S. state of Louisiana.

USS <i>Maine</i> (SSBN-741) Submarine of the United States

USS Maine (SSBN-741) is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine in commission since 1995. She is the fourth U.S. Navy ship authorized, and the third commissioned, to be named in honor of the state of Maine. She has the capability to carry 24 nuclear armed Trident ballistic missiles.

USS <i>Michigan</i> (SSGN-727) Submarine of the United States

USS Michigan (SSBN-727/SSGN-727) is an Ohio-class nuclear-powered guided missile submarine (SSGN), converted from a ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), that is part of the United States Navy. She is the third vessel to bear the name of the U.S. state of Michigan.

USS <i>Tennessee</i> (SSBN-734) Submarine of the United States

USS Tennessee (SSBN-734) is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine that has been in commission since 1988. She is the fourth ship and first submarine of the U.S. Navy to be named for Tennessee, the 16th state.

USS <i>San Juan</i> (SSN-751) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS San Juan (SSN-751), a Los Angeles-class submarine, is the third ship of the United States Navy to be named San Juan, though only the second named for San Juan, Puerto Rico. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 30 November 1982 and her keel was laid down on 9 August 1985. She was launched on 6 December 1986 sponsored by Mrs. Sherrill Hernandez, wife of VADM Diego E. Hernández, and commissioned on 6 August 1988.

USS <i>Georgia</i> (SSGN-729) Ohio-class submarine

USS Georgia (SSBN-729/SSGN-729), an Ohio-class cruise missile submarine, is the second vessel of the United States Navy to be named for the U.S. state of Georgia.

USS <i>Alabama</i> (SSBN-731) Ohio-class submarine

USS Alabama (SSBN-731) is the sixth Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, and the seventh United States vessel to be named for the state of Alabama. The boat's motto duplicates the state's motto, Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere.

USS <i>Rhode Island</i> (SSBN-740) Submarine of the United States

USS Rhode Island (SSBN-740) is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine which has been in commission since 1994. She is the third U.S. Navy ship to be named for Rhode Island, the 13th state.

USS <i>Florida</i> (SSGN-728) Submarine of the United States

USS Florida (SSBN-728/SSGN-728), an Ohio-class cruise missile submarine, is the sixth vessel of the United States Navy to be named for the U.S. state of Florida. She was commissioned with the hull designation of SSBN-728; with her conversion to a cruise missile submarine, from a ballistic missile submarine, she was re-designated SSGN-728.

USS <i>Pennsylvania</i> (SSBN-735) Submarine of the United States

USS Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) is a nuclear-powered, United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine that has been in commission since 1989. She is the fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

USS <i>Nebraska</i> (SSBN-739) Submarine of the United States

USS Nebraska (SSBN-739) is the 14th Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, and the second United States Navy vessel to be named in honor of Nebraska, the 37th state. She carries Trident ballistic missiles.

USS <i>Maryland</i> (SSBN-738) Submarine of the United States

USS Maryland (SSBN-738) is an Ohio-class submarine in the United States Navy. Maryland is the 13th of the 18 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, and has been in active service since 1992. Maryland is the fourth US Navy vessel to be named after the US state of Maryland. Her mission is to provide the United States government with an undetectable and unattackable nuclear launch platform in support of the national strategy of strategic deterrence. The contract for the construction of the Maryland was awarded on 14 March 1986. Her keel was laid down by the Electric Boat Division of the General Dynamics Corporation at Groton, Connecticut, on 22 April 1986.

USS <i>Wyoming</i> (SSBN-742) Submarine of the United States

USS Wyoming (SSBN-742) is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine which has been in commission since 1996. She is the fourth US Navy ship to be named USS Wyoming, although it was only the third named after the state of Wyoming.

USS <i>West Virginia</i> (SSBN-736) Submarine of the United States

USS West Virginia (SSBN-736) is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine. She has been in commission since 1990. She is the third U.S. Navy ship to be named for West Virginia, the 35th state, and the 11th of 18 Ohio-class submarines.

USS <i>Nevada</i> (SSBN-733) Ballistic missile submarine

USS Nevada (SSBN-733) is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine that has been in commission since 1986. She is the fourth ship of the U.S. Navy to be named for Nevada, the 36th state.

USS <i>Alaska</i> (SSBN-732) Submarine of the United States

USS Alaska (SSBN-732), is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine which has been in commission since 1986. She is the fourth US Navy ship to be named for the Territory or State of Alaska.

USS <i>Henry M. Jackson</i> United States Navy submarine

USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN-730) is an Ohio-class, nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, in commission with the United States Navy since 1984. She is named for US Senator Henry M. Jackson of the state of Washington, and is the only submarine of the class not named after a US state.

USS <i>Casimir Pulaski</i> Submarine of the United States

USS Casimir Pulaski (SSBN-633), a James Madison-class ballistic missile submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Casimir Pulaski (1745–1779), a Polish general who served in the American Revolutionary War.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "SSBN-726 Ohio-Class FBM Submarines". Federation of American Scientists. 9 February 2000. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Frost, Peter. "Newport News contract awarded". Daily Press . Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  3. ↑ "US study of reactor and fuel types to enable naval reactors to shift from HEU fuel". Fissile Materials. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  4. ↑ Brendan Patrick Hanlon (July 2015). Validation of the Use of Low Enriched Uranium as a Replacement for Highly Enriched Uranium in US Submarine Reactors (PDF) (Master thesis). Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Submarine Frequently Asked Questions". Chief of Naval Operations Submarine Warfare Division. Archived from the original on 13 July 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  6. ↑ "2 U.S. submarines collide off Long Island". CNN. 19 March 1998. Archived from the original on 9 September 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  7. ↑ "ALNAV 006/01" . Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  8. ↑ "USS Kentucky Awarded Omaha Trophy". U.S. Strategic Command. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  9. ↑ Fellman, Sam (21 December 2011). "Near-miss cited in firing of sub CO". Navy Times.
  10. ↑ "Submarine Squadron 19". Commander, Submarine Group 9. Archived from the original on 17 June 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  11. ↑ "Naval missile test off California creates streaking light". Yahoo News. 8 November 2015.
  12. ↑ "Everybody lost it when a Navy missile lit up the night sky over the West Coast". Yahoo Finance. 8 November 2015.
  13. ↑ "USS Kentucky ballistic-missile submarine returns to active duty after 40-month overhaul". Northern Kentucky Tribune. 17 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
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