USS Pennsylvania (SSBN-735)


USS Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) in November 1995.
Career (US)
Name: USS Pennsylvania
Namesake: The U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Ordered: 29 November 1982
Builder: General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut
Laid down: 10 January 1984
Launched: 23 April 1988
Sponsored by: Mrs. Marilyn Garrett
Commissioned: 9 September 1989
Homeport: King's Bay GA
Motto: Virtue, Independence, Liberty
Honors and
awards:
Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award 2001
Status: in active service, as of 2012
Badge:
General characteristics
Class and type: Ohio class ballistic missile submarine
Displacement: 16,764 metric tons (16,499 long tons) surfaced[1][2]
18,750 metric tons (18,450 long tons) submerged[1]
Length: 560 feet (170 m)
Beam: 42 ft (13 m)[1]
Draft: 38 feet (12 m)
Propulsion: 1xS8G PWR nuclear reactor[1]
2x geared turbines[1]
1x325 hp (242 kW) auxiliary motor
1 shaft @ 60,000 shp (45 MW)[1]
Speed: Greater than 25 knots (29 mph; 46 km/h)[3]
Test depth: Greater than 800 feet (240 m)[3]
Complement: 15 officers[1][2]
140 enlisted[1][2]
Armament:

MK-48 torpedoes

24 × Trident II D-5 ballistic missiles

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

Contents

Construction and commissioning

The contract to build Pennsylvania was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, on 29 November 1982 and her keel was laid down there on 10 January 1984. She was launched on 23 April 1988, sponsored by Mrs. Marilyn Garrett, and commissioned on 9 September 1989, with Captain Richard M. Camp commanding the Blue Crew and Captain A. Lee Edwards commanding the Gold Crew.

Service history

On 29 September 1989, Pennsylvania ran aground as she entered the channel during her first visit to Port Canaveral, Florida. Tugboats freed her in about two hours. A U.S. Navy investigation determined that Pennsylvania was properly positioned in the channel, but the channel had been silted by the recent passing of Hurricane Hugo.

In 2001, Pennsylvania won the Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award for the United States Atlantic Fleet.

USS Pennsylvania in fiction

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Ohio-class SSGN-726, Federation of American Scientists, http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/navy/submarines/ssgn726_ohio.html, retrieved 2011 September 27 
  2. ^ a b c Frost, Peter, Newport News contract awarded, Daily Press, http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_subs_0424apr24,0,5810806.story, retrieved 2011 September 27 
  3. ^ a b Submarine Frequently Asked Questions, Chief of Naval Operations Submarine Warfare Division, http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/faq.html, retrieved 2011 September 27 

External Links