Ethan Allen-class submarine


The Ethan Allen class of fleet ballistic missile submarine was an evolutionary development from the George Washington class. The Ethan Allen, together with the,,, and 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 attack submarines with a missile compartment added, the Ethan Allens were the first submarines designed "from the keel up" as Fleet Ballistic Missile submarines carrying the Polaris A-2 missile. 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, they were not further upgraded.

Conversions

To comply with SALT II treaty limitations as the ballistic missile submarines entered service, in the early 1980s the Ethan Allens were refitted and officially designated SSNs, 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.
All were disposed of through the nuclear Ship-Submarine Recycling Program 1992-1999.

Boats in class

Submarines of the Ethan Allen class:
Name and hull numberBuilderLaid DownLaunchedCommissionedFate
General Dynamics Electric Boat14 September 195922 November 19608 August 1961Decommissioned 31 March 1983. Disposed of through Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, 1999
Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.28 December 19592 February 19616 March 1962Decommissioned 6 September 1991. Disposed of through Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, 1992
General Dynamics Electric Boat15 March 196015 June 196110 March 1962Decommissioned 1 December 1983. Disposed of through Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, 1997
Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.4 April 196015 July 196121 May 1962Decommissioned 22 July 1992. Disposed of through Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, 1993
Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.3 February 196124 February 19624 January 1963Decommissioned 24 January 1985. Disposed of through Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, 1998