USS Kentucky (SSBN-737)

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For other ships with the same name, see USS Kentucky.

USS Kentucky (SSBN-737)
USS Kentucky (SSBN-737)
USS Kentucky (SSBN-737)
History
United States
NamesakeU.S. state of Kentucky
Ordered13 August 1985
BuilderGeneral Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut
Laid down18 December 1987
Launched11 August 1990
Sponsored byCarolyn Pennebaker Hopkins
Commissioned13 July 1991
HomeportBangor, Washington
MottoThoroughbred of the Fleet
Honors and
awards
  • 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
Statusin active service
Badge737insig.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
  • 1 × S8G PWR nuclear reactor[1]
  • 2 × geared turbines[1]
  • 1 × 325 hp (242 kW) auxiliary motor
  • 1 × shaft @ 60,000 shp (45,000 kW)[1]
SpeedGreater than 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)[3]
Test depthGreater than 800 feet (240 m)[3]
Complement
Armament
  • MK-48 torpedoes
  • 24 × Trident II D-5 ballistic missiles

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.

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.

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. 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. No personnel suffered any injuries. 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.[citation needed][4]

In 2005, both the Blue and Gold Crews of Kentucky were appointed Kentucky Colonels by Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher.[citation needed]

Kentucky was awarded the Battle Efficiency Award (Battle "E") for Submarine Squadron 17 for 2006 and 2009.[citation needed]

Kentucky's Gold Crew was awarded a Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award Honorable Mention for food service in 2007.[citation needed]

Kentucky's Blue and Gold Crews were awarded the Omaha Trophy for service as the best ballistic missile submarine in 2009.[5]

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.[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 USS Kentucky entered her Engineering Refueling Overhaul (ERO) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.[7]

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.[8][9]

On 13 March 2016, following completion of her ERO, Kentucky deployed for the boat's first strategic deterrent mission since 2011.[10]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h "Ohio-class SSGN-726". Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Frost, Peter. "Newport News contract awarded". Daily Press. Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  3. ^ Jump up to: 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.
  4. ^ "ALNAV 006/01". Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  5. ^ "USS Kentucky Awarded Omaha Trophy". U.S. Strategic Command. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  6. ^ Fellman, Sam (21 December 2011). "Near-miss cited in firing of sub CO". Navy Times.
  7. ^ "Submarine Squadron 19". Commander, Submarine Group 9. Archived from the original on 17 June 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  8. ^ "Naval missile test off California creates streaking light". Yahoo News. 8 November 2015.
  9. ^ "Everybody lost it when a Navy missile lit up the night sky over the West Coast". Yahoo Finance. 8 November 2015.
  10. ^ "USS Kentucky ballistic-missile submarine returns to active duty after 40-month overhaul". Northern Kentucky Tribune. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  • 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.

External links[]

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