Plau IM EMMEN.=Mil= KEY REFERENC - 66161.c- 0)41 - o NAVY CANISTEF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL NUCLEAR PROPULSION PROGRAM JUNE 1995 01,1a oo 11 f, sicamecti On 'F iticrear Power ?tiblic Reading S Room Department at erg, lovrationt Office ‘4,1,7••• DEP kR 1141-_N1 DEPARTMEVI ()I- 1.1\1.1t(,\ DEFF\SF.: IN II fl I.7 I I I I 11 I 41 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 ADVANTAGES OF NAVAL NUCLEAR POWER 2 TODAY'S MISSION 4 WHAT IS THE NAVAL NUCLEAR PROPULSION PROGRAM? 6 Nuclear-Powered Warships 6 Research and Development Laboratories Nuclear Component Procurement Organizations 9 Nuclear Equipment Suppliers 9 Shipyards 10 Support Facilities and Tenders 11 Schools and Training Facilities 12 Headquarters 13 ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROGRAM 14 TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY 16 THE TRAINING PROGRAM 13 DESCRIPTION OF A TYPICAL NAVAL NUCLEAR PROPULSION PLANT 22 CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT 24 NAVAL NUCLEAR PROPULSION PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS 27 THE FUTURE 30 APPENDIX 33 The First Naval Nuclear Propulsion Plants 34 Classes of Nuclear-Powered Ships 39 Operations 46 Special Pr ;cots 52 Proaram Locatcns 55 Program Dii-eo!p,rs—Past and PreSE". 57 Program Statiscs 60 III 110 MI MI IIII MI NI IIII NI III MI NI ill NI NI IIIII INTRODUCTION On January 17, 1955, USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) put to sea for the first time, signaling her historic message: "Underway on nuclear power." Naval warfare would never again be the same. The development of the nuclear propulsion plant. the cause of this revolution in warfare. was the work of a team of Navy, government. and contractor engineers led by Captain Hyman G. Rickover. Starting from scratch only eight years earlier, he obtained Congressional support to develop an industrial base in a new technology, pioneer new materials, design, build, and operate a prototype reactor, establish a training program, and take a nuclear-powered submarine to sea. The success and speed of this development has given America undersea and nuclear propulsion superiority ever since. For more than 35 years, Admiral Rickover headed the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. Upon retirement in 1982, he left behind a tradition of technical excellence and an organization staffed by experienced professionals dedicated to designing, building, and operating Naval nuclear propulsion plants safely and in a manner that protects people and the environment—legacies continued by his successors. The result is a fleet of nuclear- powered warships unparalleled in capability, and a mature, highly disciplined infrastructure of government and private activities. 1 Bushnell's Turtle ADVANTAGES OF NAVAL NUCLEAR POWER Before the advent of nuclear power, the submarine was, in reality, a small surface ship that could submerge for only short periods of time. As it required oxygen as well as fossil fuel to operate its diesel engines. the submarine had to draw in air and exhaust combustion products. This required the submarine either to be on the surface, or close enough to the surface to use a snorkel, which made the ship susceptible to detection. To avoid detection, the ship had to submerge fully and rely on electric batteries which depleted within several hours. The ship would then have to surface again to start the diesel and recharge the batteries. one— •' ri r-, ee- -12t -rA . • "*- r •" ,. ...,.. ..,. .-. • ''-1 ...-r ....--. ,. Diesel Submarine USS BARRACUDA (SST 3) 2 By eliminating altogether the need for oxygen for propulsion, nuclear power offered a way to drive a submerged submarine at high speeds without concern for fuel consumption; to operate fully capable sensors and weapons systems during extended deployments; and to support a safe and comfortable living environment for the crew. Only a nuclear- powered submarine can operate anywhere in the world's oceans, including under the polar ice, undetected and at maximum capability for extended periods. USS PINTADO ASSN 672) at the North Pole Nuclear propulsion. though originally developed for submarines. significantly enhances the military capability of surface ships. Mobility and security of fuel supplies are among a fleet commander's greatest concerns. Nuclear propulsion overcomes these problems by providing virtually unlimited high-speed endurance without dependence on tankers and their escorts. Moreover, space normally required for propulsion fuel in oil-fired ships provides increased storage capacity for weapons and aircraft fuel in nuclear-powered ships. The advantage of nuclear-powered surface ships is multiplied many times when an entire carrier battle group consists of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier plus nuclear-powered escorts. Such an all nuclear battle group enjoys a significant speed, endurance, and tactical advantage over conventionally powered counterparts. It can respond to crises more quickly and stay on station far longer. 3 TODAY'S MISSION I — - — USS PATRICK HENRY (SSBN 599) on Sea Trials in Long Island Sound Submarines For over three decades, U.S. ballistic missile submarines have provided strategic deterrence and represent the most invulnerable of our strategic forces. Successive classes of ever more capable U.S. attack submarines have ensured a warfighting edge over any potential adversary. The SEAWOLF submarine, with stealth, tactical speed, and advanced combat systems, will be the most capable submarine in the world. Incorporating this technology into future classes of submarines will allow the SEAWOLF (SSN 21) (Artist's Conception) 4 U. S. to maintain undersea superiority and control of the seas in the face of any future threats, regardless of national or international economic or political stability. Of increasing concern to national security and the military balance in regional areas is the number of countries that are seeking or have obtained nuclear-powered submarines and nuclear weapons technology. The superior stealth, mobility, and firepower of our nuclear attack submarines, however, enable the United States to combat these threats. With fewer bases overseas and declining fleet assets, these warships represent a stealthy, far- reaching force that will be able to shoulder a significant defense burden, even in low- intensity conflicts. Nuclear-powered submarines are cost-effective platforms uniquely suited to defend the sea lanes, protect carrier battle groups, reach points of conflict quickly and undetected, and engage in offensive operations off an enemy's coast or even against inland targets. Surface Ships With added tactical advantages, U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and cruisers are a visible and powerful means of projecting military force around the globe. With their independence from oil resupply, nuclear-powered surface ships can respond quickly and remain on station for extended periods of time in forward positions where military power is needed with minimum risk to support units. r=•L.-1.1.`*-_ USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) off Athens, Greece 5 WHAT IS THE NAVAL NUCLEAR PROPULSION PROGRAM? The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program is comprised of military personnel and civilians ■ who design, build, operate, maintain, and manage the nuclear-powered ships and the many facilities which support the U.S. nuclear-powered Naval fleet. The Program has a broad reach, maintaining responsibility for nuclear propulsion from cradle to grave. Program responsibilities are delineated in Presidential Executive Order 12344 of February 1, 1982, and prescribed by Public Law 98-525 of October 19, 1984 (42 U.S.C. 7158). Program elements include: 11 • The Navy's nuclear-powered warships; • Research and development laboratories; • Contractors responsible for the design, procurement, and construction of propulsion plant equipment; • Shipyards that construct, overhaul, and service the propulsion plants of nuclear-powered vessels; • Navy support facilities and tenders; • Nuclear power schools and Naval Reactors training facilities; and 2 • The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program Headquarters organization and field offices. 11 Nuclear-Powered Warships Nuclear-powered warships comprise over 40 percent of the major U.S. combatants. • Ballistic missile (or "strategic") submarines are virtually undetectable while submerged. They are the least vulnerable leg of the U.S. strategic deterrent 11 force. Today's force is comprised of TRIDENT Ballistic Missile submarines, capable of carrying 24 TRIDENT missiles. At 560 feet in length and 18,700 tons displacement, the TRIDENT is the largest U.S. nuclear-powered submarine. 11 171. 7.1'6N17 •-• -‘411fPr...ro..-- *4" USS TENNESSEE (SSBN 734) in the Atlantic Ocean off the Georgia Coast 6 - USS OKLAHOMA C17Y (SSN 723) • Attack submarines, forward-deployed, alone and unsupported, can exert influence throughout the world's oceans—protecting vital commercial sea lanes, providing protection for our surface warships, and creating tactical uncertainty for an enemy who must tie up fleet units in defensive roles. These submarines operate virtually undetected in all the world's oceans, even under the ice of the harsh Arctic Ocean. Additionally, with submarines now capable of carrying cruise missiles, targets ashore are not immune from the reach of a submerged launch from these warships. Today's active attack submarine fleet consists of STURGEON Class submarines, which were the mainstay of the attack submarine fleet into the 1980's, and the newer, more advanced LOS ANGELES Class submarines which now represent the most advanced submarine technology at sea. • Nuclear-powered surface ships, often the first to be sent to troublespots around the world, can remain on station