USS Kentucky (SSBN-737)
.jpg) USS Kentucky (SSBN-737)
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 US | |
| Namesake | U.S. state of Kentucky |
| Ordered | 13 August 1985 |
| Builder | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut |
| Laid down | 18 December 1987 |
| Launched | 11 August 1990 |
| Sponsored by | Carolyn Pennebaker Hopkins |
| Commissioned | 13 July 1991 |
| Homeport | Bangor, Washington |
| Motto | Thoroughbred Of The Fleet |
| Honors and awards | list error: <br /> list (help) Gold Crew: Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award First Place 2001 Gold Crew: Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award First Place 2002 Battle Efficiency Award (Battle "E") 2006,2009 Gold Crew: Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award Honorable Mention 2007 |
| Status | in active service |
| Badge |  |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Template:Sclass- ballistic missile submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length | 560 ft (170 m) |
| Beam | 42 ft (13 m)[1] |
| Draft | 38 ft (12 m) |
| Propulsion | |
| Speed | Greater than 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)[5] |
| Test depth | Greater than 800 feet (240 m)[5] |
| Complement | |
| Armament |
|
USS Kentucky (SSBN-737), is a United States Navy Template:Sclass- 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.
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. Kentucky 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
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion with: History needed for 1991-1998.. You can help by adding to it. (December 2009) |
On 19 March 1998 south of Long Island, New York, Kentucky collided with the attack submarine USS San Juan (SSN-751) while the two submarines were conducting a joint training drill prior to deployment. Kentucky's rudder was damaged; San Juan's forward ballast tank was breached, but San Juan was able to surface and return to port. No personnel suffered any injuries.[citation needed]
| This section needs expansion with: History needed for 1998-2001.. You can help by adding to it. (December 2009) |
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.[citation needed]
| This section needs expansion with: History needed for 2002-2005.. You can help by adding to it. (December 2009) |
In 2005, both the Blue and Gold Crews of Kentucky were appointed Kentucky Colonels by Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher.[citation needed]
| This section needs expansion with: History needed for 2005-2006.. You can help by adding to it. (December 2009) |
Kentucky was awarded the Battle Efficiency Award (Battle "E") for Submarine Squadron 17 for 2006 and 2009.[citation needed]
| This section needs expansion with: History needed for 2006-2007.. You can help by adding to it. (December 2009) |
Kentucky's Gold Crew was awarded a Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award Honorable Mention for food service in 2007.[citation needed]
| This section needs expansion with: History needed for 2007 through the present.. You can help by adding to it. (December 2009) |
Kentucky's Blue and Gold Crews were awarded the Omaha Trophy for service as the best ballistic missile submarine in 2009.[citation needed]
On 12 October 2011, Kentucky had its periscope above water, but was hidden below the surface when it turned onto a new course that was blocked by the Totem Ocean ship Midnight Sun. Kentucky came into close contact of about 800 meters with the freighter near British Columbia at the Juan de Fuca Strait.[6]
The ship has been featured in both the History Channel's Modern Marvels "Mega Meals" episode in 2010 and in the Smithsonian Channel's Mighty Ships in 2011.
In January 2012 the Kentucky entered its Engineering Refueling Overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. [7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "SSBN-726 Ohio-Class FBM Submarines". Federation of American Scientists. 9 February 2000. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- ^ a b c Frost, Peter. "Newport News contract awarded". Daily Press. Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Submarine Frequently Asked Questions". Chief of Naval Operations Submarine Warfare Division. Archived from the original on 13 July 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
- ^ Fellman, Sam (21 December 2011). "Near-miss cited in firing of sub CO". Navy Times.
- ^ "Submarine Squadron 19". Commander, Submarine Group 9. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
- This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.
- Photo gallery of USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) at NavSource Naval History
- "Welcome Aboard" pamphlet provided to USS Kentucky tour visitors.
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