166

2020

THE UNITED STATES

NAVAL NUCLEAR

PROPULSION PROGRAM
USS JACKSONVILLE (SSN 699) “The Bold One”

heading out to sea from Pearl Harbor.
THE UNITED STATES

NAVAL NUCLEAR

PROPULSION PROGRAM
ii 
iii 

Table of Contents

Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program ................................................................................. 1 

Advantages of Naval Nuclear Power ............................................................................... 2 

Today's Mission ............................................................................................................... 4 

Nuclear-Powered Submarines ................................................................................... 4 

Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carriers ............................................................................. 8 

What is the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program? .......................................................... 10 

Research, Development, and Support Laboratories .................................................11 

Nuclear Component Procurement Organization ...................................................... 12 

Nuclear Equipment Suppliers................................................................................... 12 

Shipyards ................................................................................................................. 13 

Support Facilities and Tenders ................................................................................. 14 

Schools and Training Facilities................................................................................. 15 

Headquarters ........................................................................................................... 16 

Establishment of the Program ....................................................................................... 17 

Technical and Management Philosophy ........................................................................ 19 

The Training Program .................................................................................................... 21 

What it Means to be a Sailor in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program........................ 27 

Description of a Typical Naval Nuclear Propulsion Plant ............................................... 29 

Protection of People ...................................................................................................... 31 

Concern for the Environment ........................................................................................ 31 

Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program Emergency Preparedness ..................................... 36 

Naval Spent Nuclear Fuel Transportation Exercises ................................................ 36 

Partnership with State and Local Officials ................................................................ 37 

Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program Accomplishments .................................................. 39 

Appendix ....................................................................................................................... 40 

The First Naval Nuclear Propulsion Plants .............................................................. 41 

Classes of Nuclear-Powered Ships .......................................................................... 46 

Operations ............................................................................................................... 58 

Special Projects ....................................................................................................... 64 

Program Locations ................................................................................................... 68 

Program Directors — Past and Present ................................................................... 69 

Program Statistics .................................................................................................... 76 
iv 

USS NAUTILUS Launching Ceremony

January 21, 1954
1 

A strong Navy is crucial to the security of the United States, a nation with worldwide 

interests which conducts the vast majority of its trade via transoceanic shipment. Navy 

warships are deployed around the world every hour of every day to provide a credible 

"forward presence," ready to respond on the scene wherever America's interests are 

threatened. Nuclear propulsion plays an essential role in this, providing the mobility, 

flexibility, and endurance that today's smaller Navy requires to meet a growing number of 

missions. More than 40 percent of the Navy's major combatants are nuclear-powered: 

11 aircraft carriers, 50 attack submarines, and 18 strategic submarines — 4 of which were 

converted to a covert, high-volume, precision strike platform designated as SSGN1. 

The mission of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, also known as Naval Reactors, is 

to provide militarily effective nuclear propulsion plants and ensure their safe, reliable, and 

long-lived operation. This mission requires the combination of fully trained U.S. Navy 

men and women with ships that excel in endurance, stealth, speed, and independence 

from logistics supply chains. 

Naval Reactors organic statute, 50 U.S.C. §§ 2406, 2511, codifying Presidential 

Executive Order 12344 set forth the total responsibility of Naval Reactors for all aspects 

of the Navy's nuclear propulsion, including research, design, construction, testing, 

operation, maintenance, and ultimate disposition of naval nuclear propulsion plants. The 

Program's responsibility includes all related facilities, radiological controls, environmental 

safety, and health matters, as well as selection, training, and assignment of personnel. 

All of this work is accomplished by a lean network of dedicated research laboratories, 

nuclear-capable shipyards, equipment contractors and suppliers, and training facilities 

that are centrally controlled by a small headquarters staff. The Director, Naval Reactors, 

is Admiral James F. Caldwell, Jr., who also serves as a Deputy Administrator in the 

National Nuclear Security Administration. 

Naval Reactors maintains an outstanding record of over 166 million miles safely steamed 

on nuclear power. The Program currently operates 98 reactors and has accumulated 

over 7,100 reactor-years of operation. A leader in environmental protection, the Program 

has published annual environmental reports since the 1960s, showing that the Program 

has not had an adverse effect on human health or on the quality of the environment. 

Because of the Program's demonstrated reliability, U.S. nuclear-powered warships are 

welcomed in more than 150 ports of call in over 50 foreign countries and dependencies. 

Since USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) first signaled "UNDERWAY ON NUCLEAR POWER" over 

64 years ago in 1955, our nuclear-powered ships have demonstrated their superiority in 

defending the country — from the Cold War to today's unconventional threats, to 

advances that will ensure the dominance of American seapower well into the future. 

 

1

 Data throughout this book reflects status of the Navy as of 1 October 2019. 

Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program 
2 

Bushnell's Turtle CSS H. L. Hunley

Advantages of Naval Nuclear Power

Submarines: Before the advent of nuclear power, the submarine was, in reality, a 

small surface ship that could submerge only for short periods of time. The earliest 

versions of the submarine, Bushnell's Turtle (ca. 1775) and the Confederate CSS H. L. 

Hunley (ca. 1864), were propelled by human effort and were limited by human endurance 

and the amount of oxygen within the vessel upon submergence. Later versions of the 

submarine required oxygen and fossil fuel to operate engines, which in turn required 

drawing air in and blowing combustion products out. This meant the submarine had to 

be either on — 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 and rely on electric 

batteries, which depleted within several hours. The ship would then have to surface or 

snorkel again to start the diesel and recharge the batteries.

Although diesel submarines can be relatively quiet when submerged on batteries, 

they have very limited endurance and power. There are other forms of air-independent 

propulsion that allow submarines to be submerged for weeks at a time — if they remain 

at very low speeds. However, because of the large amount of oxygen that must be stored 

onboard, these propulsion systems are insufficient for warships contributing to global 

maritime influence.

Diesel Submarine USS BARRACUDA (SST 3)
3 

By eliminating the need for oxygen for propulsion, nuclear power allows a 

submerged submarine to drive at high speeds without concern for fuel consumption, to 

operate fully capable sensors and weapons systems, 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. Further, nuclear power provides endurance at 

high speeds, allowing strategic changes of missions from one location to another.

USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9), and

USS BAINBRIDGE (CGN 25) underway as part of Operation Sea Orbit.

Surface Ships: With high-speed endurance to provide strategic flexibility; speed 

and responsiveness to provide tactical flexibility; and mobility while on-station, nuclearpowered aircraft carriers can respond to crises more quickly, arrive in a higher condition 

of readiness, and stay on-station longer with less logistics support than their fossil-fueled 

counterparts. Mobility and security of fuel supplies are among a Fleet commander's 

greatest concerns. Nuclear propulsion dramatically reduces these concerns by providing 

the ship virtually unlimited high-speed propulsion endurance without dependence on 

fossil-fuel tankers or their escorts. For example, USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), 

USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9), and USS BAINBRIDGE (CGN 25) left the Mediterranean 

on July 31, 1964, for a 65-day, 30,000-mile cruise around the world, which was carried 

out completely free from refueling or logistics support. Most recently, USS JOHN C. 

STENNIS (CVN 74) and USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) completed around-theworld deployments in support of national tasking.

Moreover, the compact, energy-dense nature of a nuclear propulsion plant 

eliminates large-volume tankage requirements for propulsion fuel and reduces space 

devoted to combustion air and exhaust. This permits increased storage capacity for 

combat consumables (weapons, aircraft fuel, stores), which improves sustainability and 

reduces underway replenishment requirements.
4 

Today's Mission

The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program exists to provide the United States with the 

most capable warships in the world.

Nuclear-Powered Submarines

Since NAUTILUS, follow-on classes of ever more capable U.S. nuclear-powered 

attack submarines (SSNs) have ensured a warfighting edge over any potential adversary. 

Forward-deployed SSNs — either alone and unsupported or with strike groups — can 

exert influence throughout the world, safeguarding vital commercial sea-lanes, protecting 

aircraft carrier and expeditionary strike groups, and creating tactical uncertainty for an 

enemy who must tie up his own fleet units in defensive roles. Our SSNs operate virtually 

undetected in all the world's oceans, even under the Arctic ice. Cruise missiles launched 

from an unseen, submerged SSN can reach targets deep inland. Perhaps most 

important, SSNs guarantee access — access to hostile areas for intelligence gathering, 

as well as "clearing the way" to ensure access for other U.S. naval forces. With fewer 

bases overseas and decreasing Fleet assets, our SSNs represent a stealthy, far-reaching 

force that will be called upon to shoulder a large part of the defense burden, even in lowintensity conflicts. SSNs provide real-time, actionable intelligence to combatant 

commanders, and can quickly strike with precision or deploy special forces. Simply put, 

no other warfighting platform can match the stealth, endurance, mobility, and the mix of 

capabilities that our SSNs bring to the battle.

USS MISSISSIPPI (SSN 782) returning to Electric Boat

after her successful Alpha sea trials.

Today's active SSN fleet comprises 30 LOS ANGELES-class SSNs, 3 SEAWOLFclass SSNs, and 17 VIRGINIA-class SSNs.

The VIRGINIA class is the replacement for the LOS ANGELES class, whose earliest 

boats were commissioned in the 1970s. The lead ship, USS VIRGINIA (SSN 774), was 

commissioned on October 23, 2004. VIRGINIA is the Navy's first major combatant 
5 

designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind, and is uniquely suited for 

dominance in both shallow and deep waters. VIRGINIA-class submarines can carry out 

a variety of missions in shallow water near land, from anti-submarine warfare to precision 

strike, covert intelligence gathering, minefield mapping and mine delivery, and Special 

Operations Force delivery. These submarines have many innovations, such as an 

integrated command, control, communications, and intelligence (C3I) system, non-hullpenetrating photonics masts, and a reconfigurable torpedo room to accommodate a large 

number of Special Operations Force personnel. VIRGINIA-class submarines are 

equipped with a nine-person lockout chamber and can be equipped with a Dry Deck 

Shelter (DDS) for Special Operations Force support. 

The number of countries that are seeking or have obtained diesel, air-independent 

propulsion (AIP), and nuclear-powered submarines is an increasing concern to national 

security and the military balance in critical regions of the world. The superior stealth, 

mobility, endurance, and firepower of our SSNs will enable the United States to 

successfully combat these threats, whether in deep or shallow waters.

The VIRGINIA-class reactor plant is designed to last the entire planned 33-year life 

of the ship without refueling. This will help to reduce life-cycle cost while increasing the 

time the ship is available to perform missions. 

The VIRGINIA-class modular design gives each ship the flexibility to support future 

technology upgrades and advanced payloads. This flexibility will ensure that these 

submarines will maintain warfighting superiority over any adversary well into the 21st

century.

USS VIRGINIA (SSN 774) passing the skyline of Portsmouth, Virginia, on her way to

Norfolk Naval Shipyard after completing Bravo sea trials, August 25, 2004.
6 

For over five decades, U.S. ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) have provided 

strategic deterrence. These warships are virtually undetectable while submerged, 

forming the most survivable component of the U.S. strategic deterrent. This force is 

comprised of 14 OHIO-class SSBNs, each capable of carrying 20 Trident II missiles. At 

560 feet in length and 18,700 tons displacement, these OHIO-class SSBNs are the 

largest U.S. nuclear-powered submarines. 

 OHIO-class SSBNs are nearing the end of their service lives and will be replaced 

by the COLUMBIA Class. Naval Reactors is completing the design of a new reactor core 

and propulsion plant to support this next-generation ballistic missile submarine. Electricdrive propulsion and a life-of-the-ship core will provide the COLUMBIA Class with 

unprecedented stealth and a service life in excess of 40 years. This will allow 

COLUMBIA-class SSBNs to cover the Nation’s deterrent requirements with two fewer 

submarines, an expected savings of greater than $40 billion. Technology supporting the 

new reactor core and electric-drive were developed and tested over the last several 

decades. Construction will focus on both capability and affordability, drawing on existing 

technologies currently deployed on VIRGINIA-class submarines, as well as new concepts 

for survivability, integration, automation, and modularity, addressing current and projected 

threats and reducing life-cycle costs. Lead ship construction will start in fiscal year 2021 

to support strategic deterrent patrols starting in 2031. 

USS ALABAMA (SSBN 731)
7 

Four SSBNs no longer needed to perform their strategic deterrence mission have 

been converted into nuclear-powered guided missile submarines (SSGNs). As the Fleet’s 

SSGNs, USS OHIO (SSGN 726), USS MICHIGAN (SSGN 727), USS FLORIDA 

(SSGN 728), and USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729) are providing new capabilities to 

submarine commanders.

Each of an SSGN's 24 missile tubes has an inside diameter of over 7 feet and can 

be converted to launch multiple Tomahawk guided missiles or to deploy any of a number 

of large payloads, such as unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and special sensors.

Each SSGN can covertly enter a battlespace carrying unconventional payloads and 

up to 154 guided missiles, plus a large number of Special Operations Forces personnel. 

This gives battlefield commanders more surprise strike options, covert informationgathering methods, and communication pathways.

USS OHIO (SSGN 726) with her missile doors open.

OHIO was the first of four SSBNs to complete conversion to SSGN.
8 

Over the last half century, naval nuclear reactors have steamed over 110 million miles with an 

unmatched, absolutely flawless record of safety and performance. Today, nuclear-powered 

aircraft carriers reign as the centerpiece of America's strategy of forward presence, and nuclearpowered submarines remain a crown jewel of our Nation's defense arsenal. 

— General Henry H. Shelton, U.S. Army 

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 

On the Program's 50th Anniversary, August 1998 

Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carriers

 "Where are the aircraft carriers?" is often one of the first questions the President 

asks in times of crisis around the world. Each aircraft carrier provides the Nation 41⁄2 

acres of highly mobile sovereign territory, unconstrained by local host-nation laws and 

politics, from which to project flexible, rapid, visible, and credible U.S. military power as 

needed to keep the peace, deter conflicts, protect American interests, or fight a war. 

Nuclear-powered aircraft carriers (CVNs) can transit to the scene at sustained high speed 

(without the logistics support that would be needed for a fossil-fueled aircraft carrier) and 

arrive fully ready to launch the awesome firepower of the air wing. They can then sustain 

that presence and response without immediate replenishment of combat consumables, 

with tactical mobility and flexibility, free from the need for propulsion fuel replenishment. 

CVNs have greater weapons and fuel-storage capacity to sustain both long-term flight 

operations and to refuel their conventionally powered escorts, as the logistics dictate. 

USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) celebrating 50 years of service in 2011. 
9 

Since 1967, when Congress authorized the construction of USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), 

the Nation has moved toward an all-CVN force. Following the commissioning of 

USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78) in July 2017, our carrier fleet consists of 11 CVNs, with 

JOHN F. KENNEDY (CVN 79) and ENTERPRISE (CVN 80) currently under construction. 

These are the largest warships of any navy in the world. Nuclear propulsion provides 

unique tactical mobility and flexibility, responsiveness, and sustainability — key attributes 

in sustaining the ability of our CVN force to meet the demands of forward presence and 

crisis response in an era of shrinking resources. Thousands of airstrikes in Operations 

Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom were flown from CVNs, hitting targets far inland. 

 The GERALD R. FORD class represents the convergence of two paths: a 

dedication to current missions and innovation for future needs. Significant advances in 

this class’ warfighting capabilities and technologies — a 33 percent increase in sortie 

generation rate, a tripling of the electrical generating power, and an increase in core 

energy, and a cost reduction in manpower and planned maintenance — make the 

GERALD R. FORD class a key investment in 21st-century capability. The nuclear 

propulsion plant will increase operational availability, enhance survivability, and improve 

reliability. In addition to reducing acquisition and life-cycle costs by approximately $4 

billion, these benefits will create a higher quality of life for the crew and improve the 

capability to incorporate future warfighting technology. 

USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) steams in formation with ships from Carrier Strike Group Five (CSG5) 

and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) during Exercise Invincible Spirit.
10

Naval Reactors’ success can be attributed in part to its administrative setup, which provides 

Naval Reactors with a clear and focused mission, clear and total responsibility and accountability 

for implementing that mission, a director with a high rank and a long term of office, centralized 

control of the program’s industrial base and suppliers, and a fairly flat organizational structure 

with an in-house staff that is fully knowledgeable in the technology that it acquires from its 

contractors. 

Naval Reactors’ success can also be attributed to its operational philosophy, which is 

characterized by, among other things, a focus on technical excellence, rigorous quality 

control, comprehensive procedures and procedural compliance, careful selection of 

personnel, and rigorous and continuous training of those personnel. 

— Mr. Ron O’Rourke 

Congressional Research Service 

Before the House Armed Services Committee on June 14, 2014 in a hearing entitled: 

Case Studies in Department of Defense Acquisition: Finding What Works 

What is the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program?

 The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program comprises the military and civilian 

personnel who design, build, operate, maintain, and manage the nuclear-powered ships 

and the many facilities that support the U.S. nuclear-powered naval fleet. The Program 

has cradle-to-grave responsibility for all naval nuclear propulsion matters. Program 

responsibilities are delineated in 50 U.S.C. §§ 2406, 2511 (codifying Presidential 

Executive Order 12344 of February 1, 1982). Program elements include the following: 

• Research, development, and support laboratories. 

• Contractors responsible for designing, procuring, and building propulsion plant 

equipment. 

• Shipyards that build, overhaul, and service the propulsion plants of nuclearpowered vessels. 

• Navy support facilities and tenders. 

• Nuclear power schools and Naval Reactors training facilities. 

• Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program Headquarters and Field Offices. 
11 

Research, Development, and Support Laboratories

The Naval Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) consists of four governmentowned/contractor-operated sites supporting the Program: Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory 

(Bettis) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) in 

Schenectady, New York; Kenneth A. Kesselring (Kesselring) Site in West Milton, New 

York; and Naval Reactors Facility within the Idaho National Laboratory.

Bettis and KAPL are research and engineering facilities devoted solely to naval 

nuclear propulsion work. With combined staffs of nearly 8,000 engineers, scientists, 

technicians, and support personnel, their mission is to develop the most advanced naval 

nuclear propulsion technology and to provide technical support for the continued safe, 

reliable operation of all existing naval reactors. KAPL also operates a prototype nuclear 

propulsion plant at the Kesselring Site in New York for the operational testing of new 

designs and promising new technologies under typical operating conditions before 

introducing them into the Fleet. Both Bettis and KAPL offer post-graduate research 

opportunities through the Rickover Fellowship in Nuclear Engineering.2

The Naval Reactors Facility, located within the Idaho National Laboratory, examines 

naval spent nuclear fuel and irradiated test specimens. The data derived from these 

examinations are used to develop new technology and to improve the cost-effectiveness 

of existing designs.

The combined efforts of the Program's research, development, and support labs 

have led to tremendous advances in naval reactor technology. For example, the first 

submarine core endurance was about 62,000 miles; today, submarine and aircraft carrier 

cores have an endurance of over 1 million miles.

A technician attaching instrumentation to a materials testing station.

 

2

 For more information, visit the South Carolina Universities Research & Education Foundation website at 

http://scuref.org/rfp-01
12 

Nuclear Component Procurement Organization

Since the late 1950s, the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program has had dedicated 

prime contractor support to provide engineering, procurement, and technical oversight of 

naval nuclear components. Currently, the prime contractor is Bechtel Plant Machinery, 

Inc. (BPMI), with locations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Schenectady, New York. 

BPMI is involved in the design, purchase, quality control, and delivery of major propulsion 

plant components for installation in nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, submarines, and 

prototype plants.

A technician loading a sample into a gamma spectrometer.

Nuclear Equipment Suppliers

A number of privately owned companies throughout the United States perform the 

actual design and fabrication of the major propulsion plant components. Manufacturing 

the heavy components used in naval nuclear propulsion plants requires 4-8 years of 

precision machining, welding, grinding, heat treatment, and nondestructive testing of 

large specialty metal forgings, under carefully controlled conditions. Standards for naval 

applications are far more rigorous and stringent than those required for civilian nuclear 

reactors because components on warships must be designed and built to accommodate 

battle shock; radiated noise limits; crew proximity to the reactor; and frequent, rapid 

changes in reactor power. Many of these equipment manufacturers have been supplying 

the Program for several decades.
13 

USS CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI (SSN 705) during undocking at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.

Shipyards

Two private shipyards build all our nuclear-powered ships. These two shipyards, 

together with four public shipyards, provide the Nation's capability to overhaul, repair, 

refuel, and inactivate nuclear-powered ships. These complicated tasks require an 

experienced and skilled workforce specifically trained to do naval nuclear propulsion 

work. With approximately 70,000 employees, these six shipyards are unique industrial 

assets with capabilities found nowhere else in America.

Shipyard Sector Location

General Dynamics Electric Boat Private Groton, CT

Huntington Ingalls Industries –

 Newport News Shipbuilding Private Newport News, VA

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Public Portsmouth, VA

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and

 Intermediate Maintenance Facility Public Pearl Harbor, HI

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Public Kittery, ME

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and

 Intermediate Maintenance Facility Public Bremerton, WA
14

Naval Reactors consistently maintains a model program of safe design, construction, operation, 

and decommissioning of nuclear-powered warships. 

— The Honorable A. J. Eggenberger 

Chairman, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board 

August 8, 2008 

Support Facilities and Tenders

 Deployed tenders and support facilities at major bases perform maintenance and 

repair on nuclear-powered ships outside of major shipyard availability periods. Staffed 

by specially trained personnel, these facilities provide upkeep and resupply support for 

the Fleet. The tenders are themselves seagoing naval vessels that routinely perform their 

missions while deployed all over the world. The ability of the nuclear-powered fleet to 

remain on-station is enhanced by the ability to forward-deploy repair and maintenance 

activities. 

USS SANTA FE (SSN 763) alongside the submarine tender USS EMORY S. LAND (AS 39) 

 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
15

Schools and Training Facilities

 The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program's unique training requirements are met by 

special-purpose training facilities staffed by highly qualified instructors. The Program’s 

schoolhouses include the Nuclear Field "A" School and the Nuclear Power School in 

Charleston, South Carolina. After successfully completing Nuclear Power School, handson operator training is provided at either Moored Training Ships in Charleston or a landbased prototype at the Kesselring Site in West Milton, New York. In-plant training is 

supplemented with an extensive suite of simulation products, including various task 

trainers and large Engine Room Team Trainers that replicate submarine engine rooms. 

This hands-on training ensures that all operators have qualified on an operating naval 

nuclear propulsion plant before their first sea tour. 

Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, Charleston, South Carolina 

 With the repeal of the Combat Exclusion Law in the 1994 Defense Authorization Act 

and the Navy’s decision to open combatant ships to women, the Program began 

accepting women into the training pipeline to be propulsion plant operators aboard 

nuclear-powered surface warships. In 2011, women began training to serve aboard 

submarines. Today, women serve on a total of 19 submarine crews and all aircraft 

carriers.
16

NAVAL NUCLEAR PROPULSION PROGRAM 

Responsible for the research, design, construction, testing, operation, 

maintenance, and ultimate disposition of naval nuclear propulsion plants 

Headquarters

 Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program Headquarters provides oversight and direction 

for all Program elements. Because of the highly complex nature of nuclear technology, 

all major technical decisions regarding design, procurement, operations, maintenance, 

training, and logistics are made by a Headquarters staff expert in nuclear technology. 

Headquarters engineers set standards and specifications for all Program work, while 

onsite Headquarters representatives monitor the work at the laboratories, prototypes, 

shipyards, and prime contractors. 

 Based on over seven decades of engineering experience in nuclear propulsion, the 

Headquarters organization exercises exacting control over all aspects of the Program, 

demanding technical excellence and discipline unparalleled among nuclear programs. 
17

Establishment of the Program

 In 1946, shortly after the end of World War II, Congress passed the Atomic Energy 

Act, which established the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) to succeed the wartime 

Manhattan Project, and gave it sole responsibility for developing atomic energy. At this 

time, Captain Hyman G. Rickover was assigned to the Navy Bureau of Ships (BUSHIPS), 

the organization responsible for ship design. Captain Rickover recognized the military 

implications of successfully harnessing atomic power for submarine propulsion and knew 

it would be necessary for the Navy to work with the AEC to develop such a program. He 

and several officers and civilians were sent to the AEC laboratory at Oak Ridge, 

Tennessee, for a year to learn the fundamentals of nuclear reactor technology. 

 Although the principle of using a reactor to produce heat had long been understood, 

the technology to build and operate a shipboard nuclear propulsion plant did not exist. 

There were several reactor concepts; the real challenge was to develop this technology 

and transform the theoretical into the practical. New materials had to be developed, 

components designed, and fabrication techniques worked out. Furthermore, installing 

and operating a steam propulsion plant inside the confines of a submarine and under the 

unique deep-sea pressure conditions raised a number of technical difficulties. Faced with 

these obstacles, the team at Oak Ridge knew that to build a naval nuclear propulsion 

plant would require a substantial commitment of resources and a new level of 

Government and Industry commitment. 

 Captain Rickover returned to Washington and used every opportunity from his post 

at BUSHIPS to argue the need to establish a Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. Since 

there were many unknowns, he recommended that two parallel reactor development 

projects be undertaken: a pressurized-water cooled reactor and a liquid-metal cooled 

reactor. On August 4, 1948, the Navy created the new Nuclear Power Branch (Code 390) 

with Rickover as its head within the Bureau's Research Division. 

 By 1949, Captain Rickover had forged an agreement between the AEC and the 

Navy, under which he would proceed with both projects. In 1949, Rickover's new 

organization contracted with Westinghouse to develop a facility (the Bettis Atomic Power 

Laboratory) to work on the pressurized-water design. In 1950, he contracted with General 

Electric to determine whether a liquid-metal reactor design, which it was developing at 

the AEC's Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, could be applied to naval propulsion. 

 Captain Rickover recruited a strong technical staff from those who studied at Oak 

Ridge, others from past service in the Navy, and top nuclear engineers right out of college. 

This core of engineers and naval officers oversaw every aspect of the development of 

nuclear propulsion, including the construction of full-sized prototypes of submarine 

nuclear propulsion plants. 

 USS NAUTILUS was built, tested, commissioned, and put to sea in 1955 using the 

pressurized-water design, as was USS SEAWOLF in 1957, using the liquid-metal design. 

Although SEAWOLF operated at sea successfully until her first refueling, experience 

showed that pressurized-water technology was preferable for naval applications. It thus 

became the basis for all subsequent U.S. nuclear-powered warship designs. In less than 

7 years, Captain Rickover obtained congressional support to develop an industrial base 

in a new technology; pioneered new materials; designed, built, and operated a prototype 

reactor; established a training program; and took a nuclear-powered submarine to sea. 

The success and speed of this development revolutionized naval warfare and has 

ensured America’s undersea and nuclear propulsion superiority ever since. 
18 

 Admiral Rickover inspecting USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571).

For more than 33 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. These traditions have been proudly furthered 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 organizations that continue to 

build on Admiral Rickover's legacy.

In the 1970s, Government restructuring moved the Naval Nuclear Propulsion 

Program from the AEC (which was disestablished) to what became the Department of 

Energy (DOE). In 2000, the Program became a part of the newly formed National Nuclear 

Security Administration within the DOE. During these transitions, the Program retained 

its dual agency responsibility and has maintained its basic organization, responsibilities, 

and technical discipline much as when it was first established.3

 

3 For a more detailed history of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, see Nuclear Navy, 1946-1962, by Richard G. 

Hewlett and Francis Duncan, 1974, University of Chicago Press (http://energy.gov/management/downloads/hewlettand-duncan-nuclear-navy-1946-1962), and Rickover and the Nuclear Navy: The Discipline of Technology, by Francis 

Duncan, 1990, Naval Institute Press (http://energy.gov/management/downloads/duncan-rickover-and-nuclear-navy). 

For more information on Admiral Rickover, see Rickover: The Struggle for Excellence, by Francis Duncan, 2001, 

Naval Institute Press.
19 

Technical and Management Philosophy

Naval nuclear propulsion plants must be militarily capable and reliable in combat, 

as well as safe for the environment, the public, and those who operate and service 

them.

The Program has stayed at the forefront of technology to improve tactical speed, 

silencing, and reliability — characteristics that ensure a commanding edge in warfighting. 

Naval nuclear propulsion plants are rugged enough to sustain battle shock and keep 

operating safely; resilient enough to accommodate many years of frequent power 

changes; and designed to be operated and maintained by a highly trained Navy crew, 

without onboard scientists and engineers.

Computer Network-Controlled Laser Welding Containment

The Program's small and relatively uncomplicated pressurized-water reactors are 

inherently stable and can respond to operational transients without the need for 

immediate operator action. Fission products are completely contained within highintegrity fuel elements that can withstand high shock loading. The reactor is so effectively 

shielded that, during a 2-month submerged patrol, a typical submarine propulsion plant 

operator receives less radiation exposure from the reactor than they would have received 

from normal background radiation on shore in the same period.
20

The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program's success is based on strong central 

technical leadership, thorough training, conservatism in design and operating practices, 

and an understanding that in every aspect of the Program, excellence must be the norm.4 

In addition, there is a recognition that individuals must accept responsibility for their 

actions to maintain these standards. Admiral Rickover said it this way: 

Responsibility is a unique concept: it can only reside and inhere in a single individual. 

You may share it with others, but your portion is not diminished. You may delegate it, but 

it is still with you. You may disclaim it, but you cannot divest yourself of it. Even if you do 

not recognize it or admit its presence, you cannot escape it. If responsibility is rightfully 

yours, no evasion, or ignorance or passing the blame can shift the burden to someone 

else. Unless you can point your finger at the person who is responsible when something 

goes wrong, then you have never had anyone really responsible. 

A commercially available game controller is used to maneuver the ship’s photonic mast aboard the 

VIRGINIA-class submarine USS COLORADO (SSN 788). 

 

4 For more on the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program’s technical and management philosophy, see The 

Rickover Effect, by Theodore Rockwell, 1992, Naval Institute Press. 
21 

The Training Program

Over 142,000 Nuclear-Trained Sailors

From the inception of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, Admiral Rickover 

recognized that nuclear propulsion plant operators must know more than simply what to 

do in any given situation: they must understand why. Thus, ever since the first crew of 

USS NAUTILUS reported to the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory for nuclear training in 

July 1952, these sailors have received in-depth technical training, both theoretical training 

and actual watchstanding experience under instruction. This training has been given at 

many different locations over the years, but the commitment to thorough, detailed understanding of the basics of chemistry, physics, thermodynamics, and plant characteristics 

has remained its foundation. Currently, the number of sailors trained and qualified as 

nuclear propulsion plant operators is over 142,000.

Rickover Center, Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, Charleston, South Carolina

The maintenance of high standards for the selection, training, and qualification of nuclear personnel 

is essential. Based on our observations, we conclude that the training of nuclear propulsion plant 

operators is highly effective.

— George E. Apostolakis, Ph.D.

Chairman, Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards

September 2002
22 

Thorough training minimizes problems, results in quick and efficient responses to 

emergencies, and helps ensure safety. Prospective plant operators must meet tough 

selection standards and successfully complete extensive nuclear propulsion training and 

qualification before reporting aboard ship.

After selection for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and completion of basic 

recruit training, enlisted personnel are assigned to Nuclear Field "A" School in Charleston, 

South Carolina, for initial in-rate instruction. In addition to a preparatory course in mathematics, each student receives extensive hands-on training in equipment laboratories 

specially designed to teach required technical skills. The 24-week Nuclear Power School 

follows, providing basic academic knowledge necessary to understand the theory and 

operation of a nuclear propulsion plant. The curriculum is presented at the first-year 

collegiate level and includes thermodynamics, reactor principles, radiological 

fundamentals, and other specialized subjects.

Nuclear Field "A" School Lube Oil Purifier Laboratory Training

Your rigorous training is a shining example of the pursuit of excellence. . . . This dedication to 

intensive training . . . has made our nuclear navy the best in the world, bar none. . . .

— The Honorable John M. Spratt

U.S. Representative, South Carolina

May 2000
23 

Since the days of Admiral Rickover, the men and women of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion 

Program have been recognized around the world for their high standards of achievement and 

performance, their commitment to professionalism, and their dedication to accountability. 

Fifty years later, these qualities remain the standard of the Program.

— The Honorable Dirk Kempthorne

Governor of Idaho

July 1998

Nuclear Field "A" School Instrumentation and Control Laboratory

Nuclear Field "A" School Air Compressor Laboratory
24

For officers, all of whom are college graduates with technical training, the first step 

is the 24-week graduate-level course at Nuclear Power School. Here, students receive 

highly technical instruction covering the prerequisite theory background before they begin 

hands-on training on an operating reactor plant. Subjects include those in the enlisted 

curriculum (but taught in greater depth), as well as electrical engineering, reactor 

dynamics, and other such courses. 

Naval Nuclear Power Training Command Classroom

 After Nuclear Power School, hands-on operator training is provided for both officers 

and enlisted personnel. Twenty-four weeks of additional classroom training and actual 

watchstanding experience under instruction occurs at either Moored Training Ships in 

Charleston, South Carolina or a land-based prototype in Schenectady, New York. Each 

student qualifies as a propulsion plant operator, attaining extensive watchstanding 

experience and a thorough knowledge of all propulsion plant systems and their operating 

requirements. Under the guidance of experienced operator instructors, students learn 

how to operate a naval nuclear propulsion plant during normal and potential casualty 

situations. Before reporting aboard ship, they must qualify on their watchstation on an 

operating reactor. 
25

Training Is a Way of Life in the Nuclear Navy 

Moored Training Ships, Charleston, South Carolina 

Engine Room Team Trainer
26

Electronics Technician Maintenance School, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 

 Nuclear training onboard ship is every bit as demanding as it is at the schools. 

Newly reporting officers and enlisted personnel must completely requalify as 

watchstanders and demonstrate their propulsion plant knowledge and operator ability at 

their new assignment. Even after qualifying, shipboard operators participate in ongoing 

Engineering Department training lectures, plant operational evolutions, and extensive 

casualty drills. 

 To advance and assume greater responsibility, operators and officers must continue 

to demonstrate increasing proficiency and knowledge as they qualify and serve on more 

demanding watchstations. Shore training facilities provide operators advanced training 

in equipment repair and operation. All officers must qualify as Engineering Officer by 

passing a comprehensive examination administered by Naval Reactors Headquarters. 

Additionally, a rigorous advanced training program in nuclear propulsion plant operations 

is conducted at Naval Reactors Headquarters for prospective commanding officers of 

nuclear-powered warships, prototypes, and Moored Training Ships. The course must be 

completed by any officer taking command of a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered ship. 
27

What it Means to be a Sailor in the 

Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program

 One of the most rewarding jobs in today's military is that of a sailor in the Naval 

Nuclear Propulsion Program. Those accepted into this unique Program will face one of 

the most fulfilling and challenging career paths available. These individuals are 

intelligent, responsible, and motivated — the Program will accept no less. Since more 

than 40 percent of the Navy's combatants are nuclear-powered, there are many 

opportunities available to those interested in joining this elite group. 

 Naval nuclear propulsion plant operators are carefully screened, selected, and 

trained, and the standards for selection are high. To qualify for the Program, applicants 

must have (among other prerequisites) a high school diploma or college degree, good 

academic scores, an interest in pursuing the challenge this highly technical field offers, 

and the capacity and motivation to work hard. 

 The training within the Program is respected worldwide; in fact, the quality of this 

training is recognized to such an extent that many colleges give credit, up to 77 hours, for 

Program training and experience. After completing initial training, operators continue to 

gain experience and technical expertise in the many job opportunities onboard nuclearpowered ships. These jobs include operating, maintaining, and repairing equipment;

component and system performance testing; standing watches to monitor propulsion 

plant performance; and eventually supervising and instructing junior personnel in 

propulsion plant operations. 

Nuclear Field "A" School Mechanical Laboratory 
28 

Many opportunities are available to sailors who have completed their initial sea tour, 

such as returning to Nuclear Power School or one of the shore-based training facilities to 

teach new students; recruiting new sailors for the Program; or working ashore in other 

commands supporting the Program. Whatever sailors choose to do after their first sea 

tour, they can be assured that they will be highly sought after because of their training, 

competence, and professionalism.

There are also monetary benefits in being a part of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion 

Program. For example, those who are accepted in the Program can receive a generous 

entry bonus of up to $40,000. After joining, sailors typically advance rapidly and receive 

more income as a result. Sailors in the Program also receive special duty pay for their 

unique skills.

The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program requires mature and dedicated people who 

are willing to work hard to achieve success. The Program ensures that those who qualify 

have a firm understanding of science and technology and the ability and confidence to 

operate the most advanced nuclear propulsion plants in the world. Sailors who choose 

this career develop into highly competent, talented, and knowledgeable individuals, and 

in doing so provide an invaluable service to our country. If you want to be a part of the 

Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, please see your local Navy recruiter, call 1-800-USANAVY, or go to www.navy.com/careers/nuclear-operations.

Nuclear Field “A” School Circuit Breaker Training
29 

Description of a Typical

Naval Nuclear Propulsion Plant

In naval nuclear propulsion plants, fissioning of uranium atoms in the reactor core 

produces heat. Because the fission process also produces radiation, shielding is placed 

around the reactor to protect the crew. Despite close proximity to a reactor core, a typical 

crew member receives less exposure to radiation than one who remains ashore and 

works in an office building.

U.S. naval nuclear propulsion plants use a pressurized-water reactor design that 

has two basic systems: the primary system and the secondary system. The primary 

system circulates ordinary water in an all-welded, closed loop consisting of the reactor 

vessel, piping, pumps, and steam generators. The heat produced in the reactor core is 

transferred to the water, which is kept under pressure to prevent boiling. The heated 

water passes through the steam generators where it gives up its energy. The primary 

water is then pumped back to the reactor to be heated again.

Diagram of a Typical Naval Nuclear Propulsion Plant
30 

Inside the steam generators, the heat from the primary system is transferred across 

a watertight boundary to the water in the secondary system, also a closed loop. The 

secondary water (which is at relatively low pressure) boils, creating steam. Isolation of 

the secondary system from the primary system prevents water in the two systems from 

intermixing, keeping radioactivity out of the secondary water.

In the secondary system, steam flows from the steam generators to drive the main 

propulsion turbines (which turn the ship's propellers) and the turbine generators (which 

supply the ship with electricity). After passing through the turbines, the steam condenses 

back into water, and feed pumps return it to the steam generators for reuse. Thus, the 

primary and secondary systems are separate, closed systems in which continuously 

circulating water transforms the heat produced by the nuclear reaction into useful work 

(such as propulsion or electricity).

No step in this power production process requires the presence of air or oxygen. 

This, combined with the ship's ability to produce oxygen and purified water from seawater 

for crew needs, allows the ship to operate completely independent of the Earth's 

atmosphere for extended periods of time. In fact, the length of a submerged submarine 

patrol is limited primarily by the amount of food the ship can carry for the crew.

USS MAINE (SSBN 741) Underway
31

In light of the September 11 terrorist acts, the use of nuclear-powered ships is now even 

more critical in defending our country. I am pleased that your program maintains a readiness 

while controlling risks and enhancing a culture of responsibility and performance. 

— The Honorable Elaine L. Chao 

Secretary of Labor 

August 2002

Protection of People

 The policy of the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program is to reduce personnel 

exposure to ionizing radiation associated with naval nuclear propulsion plants to the 

lowest level reasonably achievable. In carrying out this policy, the Program has 

consistently maintained personnel radiation exposure standards more stringent than 

those in the civilian nuclear power industry or in other Government nuclear programs. 

 No civilian or military personnel in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program have ever 

exceeded the Federal lifetime radiation exposure limit or the Federal annual limit in effect 

at the time. Since 1968, no personnel have exceeded 5 rem per year, which was the 

Program's self-imposed limit until it became the Federal limit in 1994. In recent years, 

the average annual radiation exposure for operators has dropped to about one-tenth of 

the average annual exposure a member of the American public receives from natural 

background radiation and medical sources. In 1987, the Yale University School of 

Medicine conducted an independent study of about 76,000 personnel assigned to 

submarine duty. New York University updated and expanded the Yale study in 2001 to 

include over 85,000 submariners. In 1991, Johns Hopkins University conducted an 

independent study of over 70,000 shipyard personnel assigned to work on nuclearpowered ships. None of these studies showed any cancer risks linked to radiation 

exposure. The conclusion from these and other studies is that the risks from radiation 

exposure associated with naval nuclear propulsion plants is low compared to risks 

normally accepted in work and everyday life. 

 The principles of personal responsibility, technical knowledge, rigorous training, and 

auditing are vital to achieving the Program's strong nuclear safety record. These same 

principles are also applied to Occupational Safety, Health, and Occupational Medical 

(OSHOM) programs. Workers are provided comprehensive safety and health training, 

carefully engineered procedures, close supervision, and work-team backup. Oversight 

and feedback mechanisms provide a safer working environment, as witnessed at the 

Program's laboratories and prototype training facilities, where injury and illness incidence 

rates and lost workdays rates are about one-fourth the rates of general industry. 

 

Concern for the Environment

 Long before protection of the environment became a prevalent endeavor, it was a 

high priority in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. From the beginning, the Program 

recognized that the environmental safety of operating U.S. nuclear-powered ships would 

be key to their acceptance at home and abroad. The Program maintains the same 

rigorous attitude toward the control of radioactivity and protection of the environment as 

it does toward reactor design, testing, operation, and servicing. As a result, the Program 

has a well-documented record showing the absence of any adverse environmental effect 

from the operation of U.S. nuclear-powered warships. Because of this record, these ships 

are welcome in over 150 ports in over 50 countries and dependencies. 
32 

Environmental releases, both airborne and waterborne, are strictly controlled. As a 

result, the annual releases of long-lived gamma radioactivity from all Program activities 

are comparable to the annual releases from a typical U.S. commercial nuclear reactor 

operating in accordance with its NRC license. Throughout the Program's entire history 

— over 7,100 reactor years of operation and more than 166 million miles steamed on 

nuclear power — there has never been a reactor accident, nor any release of radioactivity 

that has had an adverse effect on human health or the quality of the environment. The 

Program's standards and record surpass those of any other national or international 

nuclear program.

 While providing warfighting advantages compared to conventionally-powered ships, 

the operation of a nuclear-powered ship also avoids releasing significant amounts of 

greenhouse gases to the environment. For example, a 1998 Government Accountability 

Office report determined that an aircraft carrier powered by fossil fuel burns approximately 

500,000 barrels of oil per year. This, in turn, generates approximately 240,000 metric 

tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide generated annually by 

almost 40,000 passenger vehicles. Since the U.S. Navy has 11 nuclear-powered aircraft 

carriers and 68 submarines, the amount of carbon dioxide avoided annually by naval 

nuclear-powered warships is equivalent to approximately 800,000 passenger vehicles. 

The Program has a comprehensive environmental monitoring program at each of 

its major installations and facilities, including nuclear-capable shipyards and the 

homeports of nuclear-powered ships. This monitoring program consists of analyzing 

water, sediment, air, and marine samples for radioactivity to verify that Program 

operations have not had an adverse effect on the environment. Independent surveys 

conducted by the EPA and by State and local governments confirm that U.S. naval 

nuclear-powered ships and support facilities have had no discernible effect on the 

radioactivity of the environment.

Environmental Monitoring at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
33 

Ensuring proper environmental performance has also been a priority at Program 

DOE facilities, which are responsible for non-nuclear as well as nuclear environmental 

matters. Regular inspection of the Program's laboratory and prototype sites by the EPA 

and state officials in accordance with the Clean Air Act, the Resource Conservation and 

Recovery Act (RCRA), and the Clean Water Act, has shown no significant problems.

The Program's stewardship of the environment does not end when a facility ceases 

operations. For example, the Program has successfully released three former shipyards 

for unrestricted future use with respect to Program radioactivity: Ingalls Shipbuilding's 

radiological facilities in Pascagoula, Mississippi (1982), and the Charleston and Mare 

Island Naval Shipyards in South Carolina and California (1996). The respective States 

and the EPA independently verified and agreed with these facilities' unrestricted releases 

from Program radiological controls. The successful inactivation and closure of these 

radiological facilities demonstrates that the stringent control exercised by the Program 

since its inception has been successful in protecting human health and the environment.

In October 2006, the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program commemorated the 

first-ever unrestricted release of a U.S. nuclear power reactor site, based on the absence 

of both chemical and radiological constituents. After operating for 34 years and training 

over 14,000 sailors, the DOE S1C Prototype Reactor Site in Windsor, Connecticut, was 

returned to "green-field" conditions. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program personnel and 

contractors worked in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Environmental 

Protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the town of Windsor, and the public 

to complete this project. These agencies also provided independent oversight of the 

project. The current Windsor Site condition makes it suitable for any future use, without 

restriction, from economic development to recreation.

S1C Prototype in the early 1980s. S1C Prototype after unrestricted release,

 October 2006.

In the field of nuclear energy, not only has naval nuclear propulsion made a contribution to national 

security of incalculable value, but has done so with a level of sustained excellence that is an 

outstanding example of Government serving its citizens. The Program’s record of safety and 

environmental protection, started long before it was generally recognized how important these things 

are, is simply without equal.

— Vice President Albert H. Gore, Jr.

on the Program’s 50th Anniversary

August 1998
34 

Finally, the Program maintains its environmental responsibilities from cradle-tograve — from nuclear-powered warship design to ultimate disposal. The U.S. Navy's 

program to safely dispose of decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines and cruisers 

is an example. It involves defueling the reactor(s), inactivating the ship, removing the 

reactor compartment for land disposal, recycling the remainder of the vessel to the maximum extent practical, and disposing of the remaining non-recyclable materials. The spent 

nuclear fuel removed from nuclear-powered warships constitutes about 0.05 percent of 

all spent nuclear fuel in the United States today. Also, it is ruggedly designed to withstand 

combat conditions, and can be safely stored pending ultimate placement in a geologic 

repository. The Program has safely made 884 container shipments of naval spent nuclear 

fuel since 1957 using specially designed, rugged containers, such as the M-140 pictured 

below. To date, 124 nuclear-powered warships have been recycled with 133 defueled 

reactor compartments sent to the DOE's Hanford Site, as shown on the next page.

M-140 Shipping Container Mounted on Railcar

The fact that the Navy has always had unrestricted use as their goal is a real tribute to the Navy and 

the ethic that exists about leaving behind a site that is as clean as or cleaner than the one that they 

took control over when they first came here.

— Mr. Robert W. Varney

Region 1 Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

October 2006
35

Defueled naval reactor compartments at the Department of Energy's Hanford Site, 2019.
36

Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program 

Emergency Preparedness

 U.S. nuclear-powered warships are designed to the most exacting and rigorous 

standards. They are built to survive wartime attack, include redundant systems, and are 

operated by highly-trained crews using rigorously applied procedures. These features 

enhance both safety and the ability of the ship to survive attack in time of war. 

 Naval reactors are designed and operated in such a way as to protect the crew, the 

public, and the environment. It is important to note that the crew lives in very close 

proximity to the reactor and is dependent on the energy generated by the reactor for air, 

water, heat, and propulsion. Thus, it is imperative to both the Navy and the crew that the 

reactor be well designed and safely operated. Another important part of ensuring safety 

is developing, exercising, and evaluating the ability to respond to any emergency in the 

highly unlikely event one does occur. 

 Planning for emergencies is based on extensive Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program 

technical analysis, as well as recommendations and guidance provided by numerous 

agencies experienced in emergency planning, including the Department of Homeland 

Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Navy, the Department of Energy, 

the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National 

Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, and the International Atomic Energy 

Agency. 

 All Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program activities, both shipboard and ashore, have 

plans in place that define Program responses to a wide range of emergency situations. 

These plans are regularly exercised to ensure that proficiency is maintained. These 

exercises consistently demonstrate that Program personnel are well prepared to respond 

to emergencies regardless of location. Actions are taken to continually evaluate and 

improve emergency preparedness at all Program activities. 

Naval Spent Nuclear Fuel Transportation Exercises

 In June 2017, the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program completed its eleventh fullscale naval spent nuclear fuel transportation accident exercise in Mechanicville, New 

York. The scenario simulated the collision of a dump truck with a spent nuclear fuel 

container railcar at a railroad crossing. Navy personnel escorting the shipment practiced 

verifying that the container was still intact and assisting the local incident commander and 

emergency responders in their response to the accident. More than 270 people observed 

and participated in the exercise in Mechanicville, representing several Federal agencies, 

multiple states and localities, and Pan Am Railways. These exercises are extremely 

effective in promoting public knowledge of the safety of the Program’s Naval spent nuclear 

fuel shipments, increasing first responder confidence in their ability to respond to 

accidents involving these shipments, and providing stakeholders with the opportunity to 

interact and learn from one another.
37

The Commission recognizes that since the NAUTILUS first signaled “UNDERWAY ON NUCLEAR 

POWER” 50 years ago, nuclear-powered warships have steamed many millions of miles and 

have accumulated thousands of reactor-years of operation without a nuclear accident or any 

adverse radiological impact on the quality of the environment. 

— The Honorable Nils J. Diaz 

Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

September 2004 

Federal, State, and local New York emergency responders address a simulated injury 

during the most recent naval spent nuclear fuel transportation accident exercise in 

Mechanicville, New York on June 1, 2017. 

Partnership with State and Local Officials 

 If a radiological emergency ever occurred, civil authorities would be promptly notified and kept fully informed of the situation. With the support of Naval Nuclear Propulsion 

Program personnel, local civil authorities would determine appropriate public actions, if 

any, and transmit this information via their normal emergency communication methods. 

 The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program maintains close relationships with civil 

authorities to ensure that communications and emergency responses are coordinated, if 

ever needed. Periodic exercises are conducted with all States and Guam where U.S. 

nuclear-powered warships are homeported and Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program 

facilities are located, demonstrating the Navy's commitment to work as a team in 

response to emergency situations. 
38

Due to the unique design and operating conditions of U.S. nuclear-powered ships, 

civil emergency response plans that are sufficient for protecting the public from industrial 

and natural events (for example, chemical spills or earthquakes) are also sufficient to 

protect the public in the highly unlikely event of an emergency onboard a nuclear-powered 

ship or at a Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program facility. 

 Members of the public who live near nuclear-powered ships or support facilities can 

be confident that in the event of an emergency, extensive resources are readily available 

to quickly respond to the situation. 

Sailors and emergency response personnel working together during an emergency 

preparedness exercise at Naval Submarine Base, Groton, Connecticut. 
39

Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program Accomplishments

 In addition to the military applications of nuclear power, technology developed by 

the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program is the basis for civilian nuclear power around the 

world. Significant contributions include: 

• The uranium-dioxide fuel system — now the most widely used system in nuclear 

power. 

• The design for large pressurized-water reactor components and the cladding for 

large pressure vessels. 

• Containment concepts and refueling techniques for power reactors. 

• A system for preventing damage to a reactor core even if failures occur in the 

cooling system. 

• The first successful method of radioactive decontamination of reactor plants. 

• Zirconium, zirconium alloys, and hafnium materials for cladding and reactor 

control use. 

• Numerous computer programs widely used for design safety, research, and 

testing. 

• The first chemical cleaning process for nuclear plant steam generators. 

• Ultrasonic inspection methods for evaluating the material status of the reactor 

vessel and major components. 

• Nuclear fabrication standards, quality control requirements, and equipment 

specifications. 

• Development and publication of the CHART OF THE NUCLIDES, used 

worldwide for nuclear research and development work. 

• Extensive use of solid-state electronics for instrumentation, control, and power 

distribution. 

 The Program also gives industry information from its research in a variety of areas, 

including corrosion and wear technology for components operating in high-temperature, 

high-pressure water; pressurized-water reactor heat transfer and fluid flow technology;

methods for predicting performance of reactors in accident scenarios; and numerical

analyses of reactor designs using digital computers. This has resulted in over 5,000 

technical reports which have been made available to industry and the public. 

 Perhaps the most substantial contribution to the civilian sector is the thousands of 

highly trained Program graduates who now play key roles in operating and managing 

civilian nuclear power reactors. 
40

Appendix

 The First Naval Nuclear Propulsion Plants 

 The First Prototype (S1W) 

 USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) 

 USS SEAWOLF (SSN 575) 

 Classes of Nuclear-Powered Ships 

 Submarines 

 Aircraft Carriers 

 Cruisers 

 Operations 

 Arctic Operations 

 Special Projects 

 Shippingport 

 Light Water Breeder Reactor (LWBR) 

 NR-1 

 Program Locations 

 Program Directors — Past and Present 

 Admiral Hyman G. Rickover 

 Admiral Kinnaird R. McKee 

 Admiral Bruce DeMars 

 Admiral Frank L. “Skip” Bowman 

 Admiral Kirkland H. Donald 

 Admiral John M. Richardson 

 Admiral James F. Caldwell, Jr. 

 Program Statistics 

 U.S. Nuclear-Powered Ship Program Summary 

 U.S. Nuclear-Powered Submarines 

 U.S. Nuclear-Powered Surface Ships 
41 

The First Naval Nuclear Propulsion Plants

The First Prototype (S1W)

December 1948 The AEC contracts with Westinghouse to design, build, operate, 

and test a prototype pressurized-water naval nuclear propulsion plant (known 

alternatively as Submarine Thermal Reactor, Mark 1, or simply S1W).

1950–1953 S1W is constructed at the AEC's National Reactor Testing Station (now 

DOE's Idaho National Laboratory) inside a submarine hull surrounded by a 300,000-

gallon tank of water simulating the ocean.

S1W Prototype with Water Tank to Simulate the Ocean Environment

March 30, 1953 S1W reaches criticality at 11:17 p.m., making the first practical 

quantities of nuclear power in the world.

June 25, 1953 S1W achieves full design power and begins a successful 96-hour 

sustained full-power run, simulating a submerged crossing of the Atlantic Ocean.

Late 1955 Following nearly 2 years of continuous operation and testing and a 

refueling, S1W completes a 66-day continuous full-power run — the equivalent of 

propelling a submarine at high speed twice around the globe.

October 1989 DOE permanently shuts down S1W after 36 years of safe operation. 

The last 22 years of operation used the same reactor core, setting a longevity record. 

Over 13,000 Navy officer and enlisted operators trained at S1W.
42

USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571)

 With the endurance and stealth only nuclear propulsion could provide, NAUTILUS 

revolutionized undersea warfare by becoming the world's first true submarine, limited only 

by the amount of supplies she could carry. 

August 1949 The CNO establishes a January 1955 "ready-for-sea" date for 

development of a submarine nuclear propulsion plant. 

August 1950 President Harry S Truman signs Public Law 674, authorizing 

construction of NAUTILUS. 

August 1951 Electric Boat begins construction of the first nuclear-powered 

submarine. 

June 14, 1952 President Truman lays the keel of NAUTILUS. 

September 30, 1954 NAUTILUS is commissioned in Groton, Connecticut. 

January 17, 1955 Under the command of Commander Eugene P. Wilkinson, 

NAUTILUS puts to sea for the first time — less than 4 years after construction began — 

signaling her historic message, "UNDERWAY ON NUCLEAR POWER." 

February 1955 In 84 hours, NAUTILUS steams 1,300 submerged miles from New 

London, Connecticut, to San Juan, Puerto Rico — 10 times farther than previously 

traveled by a submerged submarine. This is the first time that a submarine maintains a 

high speed (about 16 knots average) for longer than an hour. 

1957 NAUTILUS is refueled after steaming over 62,000 miles on her first core. The 

submarine was submerged for more than half that distance. 

August 3, 1958 During an 1,800-mile, 96-hour historic transpolar voyage from 

Point Barrow, Alaska, to the Greenland Sea, NAUTILUS becomes the first ship to reach 

the geographic North Pole. President Eisenhower awards NAUTILUS the Presidential 

Unit Citation (the first such award in peacetime) for demonstrating the Arctic's strategic 

potential; and her Commanding Officer, Commander William R. Anderson, the Legion of 

Merit. 

1960 NAUTILUS deploys to the Mediterranean and becomes the first nuclearpowered submarine assigned to the SIXTH Fleet. 

1960-1979 NAUTILUS participates in numerous defense missions, including the 

naval blockade on all offensive military equipment under shipment to Cuba during the 

1962 Cuban missile crisis, and demonstrates U.S. technical capability through highvisibility calls in numerous foreign ports in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. 

April 1979 NAUTILUS departs Groton en route to California for her final voyage. 

Completes her 2,500th dive and 510,000 miles safely steamed on nuclear power. 

May 1979 NAUTILUS enters Mare Island Naval Shipyard for inactivation and conversion as a historic ship for public display. Following this, NAUTILUS leaves California 

under tow for the Naval Submarine Base in Groton. 
43 

USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) pierside at the Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton, Connecticut,

during a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of her commissioning, September 30, 2004.

USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) DATA

Length — 320 feet

Beam — 28 feet

 Displacement — Surfaced: 3,533 tons

 Submerged: 4,092 tons

Today: NAUTILUS is currently a National Historic Landmark, open to the public as 

part of the NAUTILUS Memorial and Submarine Force Library and Museum, Groton, 

Connecticut. (For additional information, write to P.O. Box 571, NAVSUBASE, Groton CT 

06349-5000, or view the NAUTILUS Museum website at http://ussnautilus.org).
44 

NAUTILUS Memorial and Submarine Force Library and Museum, Groton, Connecticut
45 

USS SEAWOLF (SSN 575) Outbound in San Francisco Bay

USS SEAWOLF (SSN 575)

April 1950 General Electric begins design work on a liquid-sodium naval nuclear 

propulsion plant as an alternative to pressurized water for a second nuclear-powered 

submarine — USS SEAWOLF (SSN 575).

September 1953 SEAWOLF's keel is laid at Electric Boat.

June 1956 SEAWOLF's reactor reaches criticality.

October 1958 While operating as an active unit of the Atlantic Fleet, SEAWOLF 

completes a record-breaking 60-day submerged run, traveling over 13,000 miles.

December 1958 Although operating satisfactorily for almost 2 years, SEAWOLF's 

sodium-cooled plant is significantly less attractive for naval warships than pressurizedwater alternatives. Therefore, the SEAWOLF plant is replaced with a pressurized-water 

plant (S2W) similar to that installed in NAUTILUS. SEAWOLF's sodium plant had 

steamed over 71,000 miles, submerged for over three-quarters of that distance.

March 1987 SEAWOLF is decommissioned after 30 years of operation and over 

473,000 miles safely steamed on nuclear power.
46 

Classes of Nuclear-Powered Ships

Submarines

Early SSNs: With the success of NAUTILUS, the Navy launched a series of attack 

submarine classes (SKATE, SKIPJACK, and PERMIT) that introduced different 

warfighting and design features.

USS SHARK (SSN 591) on Sea Trials

USS SHARK (SSN 591) DATA

(SKIPJACK class)

Length — 249 feet

Beam — 32 feet

 Displacement — Surfaced: 3,075 tons

 Submerged: 3,500 tons
47 

Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Submarines: With NAUTILUS still in operational 

testing, the Navy began developing a submarine ballistic missile system, which it brought 

from inception to deployment in 5 years. In the first class of FBMs (GEORGE 

WASHINGTON), the Navy extended SSN hulls to add a missile compartment amidships. 

In the 1960s, subsequent FBM classes (ETHAN ALLEN, LAFAYETTE, JAMES 

MADISON, and BENJAMIN FRANKLIN) were designed from the keel up as missile 

submarines. Each carried 16 Polaris missiles, but were later backfitted with the more 

powerful and accurate Poseidon missile. A few of the JAMES MADISON- and BENJAMIN 

FRANKLIN-class submarines were also backfitted with the early Trident I ballistic 

missiles. All submarines of these classes have now been retired from strategic service 

and replaced by the more advanced OHIO-class ballistic missile submarines, which carry 

Trident II missiles. The COLUMBIA-class ballistic missile submarine, currently being 

developed to replace the OHIO class, will also carry Trident II missiles.

USS ALEXANDER HAMILTON (SSBN 617)

USS ALEXANDER HAMILTON (SSBN 617) DATA

(LAFAYETTE class)

Length — 425 feet

Beam — 33 feet

 Displacement — Surfaced: 7,250 tons

 Submerged: 8,250 tons
48 

USS HAMMERHEAD (SSN 663)

USS HAMMERHEAD (SSN 663) DATA

(STURGEON class)

Length — 292 feet

Beam — 32 feet

 Displacement — Surfaced: 4,250 tons

 Submerged: 4,780 tons

STURGEON class: After deployment of PERMIT-class submarines, the Navy 

began building STURGEON-class submarines, which combined the most advantageous 

warfighting elements of the early SSN classes. With well-tested, quiet, and dependable 

propulsion plants, the 37 STURGEON-class submarines were the mainstay of our nuclear 

fleet into the 1980s.

Single-ship Designs: The Navy built several single-ship class submarines — 

USS TRITON (SSN 586), USS HALIBUT (SSN 587), USS TULLIBEE (SSN 597), 

USS NARWHAL (SSN 671), and USS GLENARD P. LIPSCOMB (SSN 685) — each to 

explore alternate propulsion plant concepts (for example, turbine electric drive and 

different reactor and propulsion turbine designs). Technology developed in these efforts 

became the basis for later classes.
49 

LOS ANGELES class: With a high-power propulsion plant, advanced sonar, and 

improved torpedo fire control systems, LOS ANGELES-class submarines provide highspeed escort, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare roles with a minimum underwater 

noise signature. Beginning with USS SAN JUAN (SSN 751), LOS ANGELES-class 

submarines incorporate technological advances, including cruise missile vertical launch 

capability, a new combat system, and retractable bow planes. Additionally, these later 

boats do not need to be refueled over the entire life of the ship. The LOS ANGELES class 

currently makes up approximately 60 percent of our fast-attack boats.

USS ALBANY (SSN 753)

USS ALBANY (SSN 753) DATA

(LOS ANGELES class)

Length — 362 feet

Beam — 33 feet

 Displacement — Surfaced: 6,000 tons

 Submerged: 6,927 tons
50 

USS PENNSYLVANIA (SSBN 735)

USS PENNSYLVANIA (SSBN 735) DATA

(OHIO class)

Length — 560 feet

Beam — 42 feet

 Displacement — Surfaced: 16,600 tons

 Submerged: 18,700 tons

OHIO-Class Ballistic Missile Submarines: Virtually undetectable in the open 

ocean, OHIO-class submarines are quieter, better equipped, and have greater missile 

range than their predecessors. With an advanced design, a long-life reactor plant, and a 

unique, comprehensive program to ensure equipment reliability and material availability, 

the OHIO class operates for long periods between servicings. OHIO’s 560-foot length 

provides room to incorporate modifications and technological developments. Large 

hatches and a carefully planned equipment arrangement facilitate component servicing 

and replacement. This class comprises 14 ships.

Guided Missile (SSGN) Submarines: Four ballistic missile submarines have been 

converted into SSGNs. Each SSGN is capable of covertly entering a battlespace carrying 

unconventional payloads and up to 154 guided missiles, plus a large number of Special 

Operations Forces personnel. This capacity gives battlefield commanders more surprise 

strike options, clandestine information-gathering methods, and communication pathways.
51 

SEAWOLF class: The SEAWOLF class goes faster, dives deeper, and carries 

significantly more weapons than its predecessors. The technology developed for 

SEAWOLF — enabling a high power-density propulsion plant that can operate quietly 

over the ship's entire speed range — is being applied to future generations of nuclearpowered warships.

The newest and last of the SEAWOLF class, USS JIMMY CARTER (SSN 23), has 

the same capabilities as her sister ships, plus a unique, 100-foot multimission platform 

(MMP). The MMP provides unprecedented payload access to the ocean, offering more 

flexibility and capability than conventional torpedo or vertical launch tubes in the shape 

or size of weapons, auxiliary vehicles, and sensors.

USS SEAWOLF (SSN 21)

USS SEAWOLF (SSN 21) DATA

(SEAWOLF class)

Length — 353 feet (453 feet for SSN 23)

Beam — 40 feet

Displacement — Surfaced: 7,460 tons (10,860 tons for SSN 23)

 Submerged: 9,150 tons (12,150 tons for SSN 23)
52 

VIRGINIA’s multimission capability is in high demand by the combatant commanders, is key to our 

Undersea Superiority Joint Integrating Concept, and will greatly influence ongoing capabilitiesbased assessments.

— General Richard B. Myers, USAF

Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

September 2004

VIRGINIA class: USS VIRGINIA (SSN 774), the lead ship of this planned 55-ship 

class, was commissioned on October 23, 2004 — meeting the schedule established by 

the original Acquisition Program Baseline over a decade before. The seventeenth 

submarine, USS SOUTH DAKOTA (SSN 790), was commissioned in February 2019. 

Nine more VIRGINIA-class submarines are also under construction. In April 2014, the 

Navy awarded the largest submarine construction contract in history for ten more 

VIRGINIA-class submarines (SSN 792 to SSN 801) to General Dynamics Electric Boat 

and Huntington Ingalls Industries – Newport News Shipbuilding. These ships began 

construction in 2014 and will be delivered to the Navy between 2019 and 2023.

The VIRGINIA class is designed to excel in near-land ("littoral") operations while 

maintaining the Navy's superiority in open-ocean operations. By applying the technology 

developed for the SEAWOLF program, the VIRGINIA class is as quiet and stealthy as the 

SEAWOLF class. The VIRGINIA class has a reconfigurable torpedo room that can be 

optimized for a variety of missions, including antisubmarine warfare, Tomahawk missile 

strikes, and special forces delivery. Technological advances have allowed significant 

improvements in mine detection and avoidance, sensors and surveillance, and 

communications.

USS HAWAII (SSN 776) on Sea Trials Preceding Her Early Delivery

USS HAWAII (SSN 776) DATA

(VIRGINIA class)

Length — 377 feet

Beam — 34 feet

 Displacement — Surfaced: 6,970 tons

 Submerged: 7,800 tons
53

Artist’s Conception of COLUMBIA (SSBN 826) 

COLUMBIA (SSBN 826) DATA 

(COLUMBIA class) 

Length — 560 feet 

Beam — 42 feet 

Displacement — Surfaced: 16,600 tons 

Submerged: 18,700 tons

COLUMBIA class: COLUMBIA is the lead ship of the newest class of ballistic 

missile submarines, the most survivable leg of the Nation’s strategic triad. COLUMBIA’s 

next-generation nuclear propulsion plant will have electric drive propulsion and a life-ofthe-ship reactor core permitting COLUMBIA to cover the same strategic mission with two 

fewer ships. COLUMBIA will share a Common Missile Compartment (CMC) design with 

the United Kingdom’s Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarine. Construction of the 

lead ship is scheduled to start in fiscal year 2021 to support strategic deterrent patrols 

starting in 2031. This class will be comprised of at least 12 ships. 
54 

Aircraft Carriers

The First Aircraft Carrier Prototype: Built at the National Reactor Testing Station 

in southeastern Idaho, the A1W prototype plant consisted of two reactors and associated 

steam plant equipment necessary to drive one shaft of an aircraft carrier. On September 

15, 1959, A1W first operated at full power. The A1W prototype plant was permanently 

shut down on January 26, 1994, after more than 34 years of safe operation. Over 14,500 

Navy officers and enlisted operators trained at A1W.

USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65)

USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) DATA

Length — 1,123 feet

Overall Width — 257 feet

Combat Load Displacement — 93,000 tons

USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65): The world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier put 

to sea in 1961 with eight reactors capable of propelling her at speeds in excess of 30 

knots. The original cores lasted 3 years; the final ENTERPRISE cores had a life of nearly 

20 years. ENTERPRISE was as tall as a 23-story building (keel to mast top), had 41⁄2 

acres of flight deck, and carried a crew (including her air wing) of over 5,000. 

ENTERPRISE was inactivated on December 1, 2012 after 50 years of decorated Naval 

service and safely steaming more than 1 million miles. 
55 

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) Northbound in the Arabian Sea

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) DATA

(NIMITZ class)

Length — 1,092 feet

Overall Width — 257 feet

Combat Load Displacement — 97,500 tons

NIMITZ class: The success of ENTERPRISE led to the larger NIMITZ class. 

NIMITZ-class aircraft carriers' two reactors produce more power than ENTERPRISE's 

eight. With larger displacement made possible by a wider hull, she can store 50 percent 

more ammunition, carry almost twice as much aviation fuel as a conventionally-powered 

aircraft carrier, and go more than 20 years without refueling, thereby requiring only one 

refueling in the life of the ship. NIMITZ-class aircraft carriers are over 18 stories tall, have 

41⁄2 acres of flight deck, and carry crews (including the air wings) of over 5,500. Further, 

NIMITZ is not the same aircraft carrier that was commissioned in 1975. The carriers 

undergo continuous modernization of aircraft, weapons, and ship systems to ensure that 

the most capable and current ships and air wings are available for every deployment.
56

USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78) conducting flight testing during shakedown.

USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78) DATA 

(GERALD R. FORD class) 

Length — 1,092 feet 

Overall Width — 256 feet 

Combat Load Displacement — 99,500 tons 

GERALD R. FORD class: USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78) is the lead ship of the 

newest class of aircraft carriers. Commissioned on July 22, 2017, GERALD R. FORD is 

the most modern aircraft carrier in the world. Taking advantage of the efficiencies of the 

NIMITZ-class hull form, this new carrier features an array of advanced technologies 

designed to improve upon the capabilities of the NIMITZ class and, at the same time, 

allow significant manpower, maintenance, and cost reductions at a savings of nearly $100 

million per year per ship. GERALD R. FORD is a large-deck nuclear-powered aircraft 

carrier that maintains the core capabilities of naval aviation while improving affordability 

of the carrier force. The carrier's design incorporates flexibility into the platform to 

accommodate future systems and technologies throughout her expected 50-year service 

life. 
57 

Cruisers

Beginning with the 17,000-ton USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9) and the 9,600-ton 

USS BAINBRIDGE (CGN 25), the Navy built several types of nuclear-powered cruisers. 

Nuclear power and multimission capability (antiair, antisurface, and antisubmarine) made 

these cruisers some of the most versatile ships afloat and an effective component of the 

Navy's Cold War force. Having served proudly, nuclear-powered cruisers have been 

decommissioned as part of the post-Cold War downsizing of the Fleet. 

USS SOUTH CAROLINA (CGN 37) underway in the Indian Ocean.

USS SOUTH CAROLINA (CGN 37) DATA

(CALIFORNIA class)

Length — 596 feet

Beam — 61 feet

Displacement — 11,320 tons
58 

Operations

Today, U.S. Navy ships and their dedicated crews are forward-deployed around the 

globe, protecting the interests of the U.S. and its allies. Their forward presence gives the 

Nation the cornerstone on which to build peacetime engagement, deterrence and crisis 

prevention, and conflict resolution. Sustaining and effectively using this forward 

presence requires agility, mobility, flexibility, and technology. Time and again, nuclear 

power proves itself as the powerplant technology for fast response, self-sufficiency, and 

endurance.

Specific details of most naval nuclear-powered warship operations are classified. 

They cover a wide variety of activities, including thousands of ballistic missile submarine 

deterrent patrols, offensive and defensive exercises with other U.S. Navy and Allied units, 

intelligence gathering, amphibious support, escort service, special forces support, and 

task force deployments to trouble spots around the world. The following examples are a 

matter of public record, and illustrate the versatility and the endurance of nuclear-powered 

warships.

In August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, resulting in an unprecedented military buildup 

in the Persian Gulf region to support Operation Desert Shield. Within days of the Iraqi 

invasion, the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) battle group transited the Suez 

Canal from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, representing some of the first U.S. military 

assets to arrive on scene. Over a dozen U.S. attack submarines conducted surveillance, 

reconnaissance, and other missions before and during the hostilities. As Desert Shield

became Desert Storm, at least two submarines and two nuclear-powered cruisers 

launched Tomahawk cruise missiles against Iraq. Warplanes from USS THEODORE 

ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) participated in the air attack.

USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH (CVN 77) transiting the Suez Canal.
59 

As tensions in the Persian Gulf fluctuated throughout the 1990s, aircraft carriers 

and submarines responded to add strength to our diplomacy and monitor military 

activities.

Subsequent operations 19 years ago again showcased the speed, independence 

from refueling supply chains, and on-station endurance of America's nuclear-powered 

warships. On September 11, 2001, USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) was headed home 

from a 6-month deployment when her Commanding Officer learned of the terrorist attacks 

on the U.S. via satellite TV. In anticipation of orders to do so, ENTERPRISE executed a 

right full rudder and was within striking distance of Afghanistan in just under 11 hours. 

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) and USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) quickly 

led battle groups to provide protection for both coasts of America. The USS CARL 

VINSON (CVN 70) and USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) aircraft carrier battle 

groups helped take the fight to the enemy, with nuclear-powered attack submarines 

assisting. Over the first several months of Operation Enduring Freedom, over 70 

percent of all precision strike missions flown into landlocked Afghanistan were launched 

from Navy CVNs, and about a third of all Tomahawk precision missile strikes were 

launched from nuclear-powered submarines.

USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), Guided Missile Cruiser USS PORT ROYAL (CG 73), 

and USS ANNAPOLIS (SSN 760) in the North Persian Gulf 

On March 19, 2003, USS CHEYENNE (SSN 773) began the second chapter in the 

Global War on Terrorism, Operation Iraqi Freedom, by launching Tomahawk missiles 

against the regime of Saddam Hussein. When over 70 percent of the Fleet surged to the 

theater, they arrived to a well-prepared battlespace based on intelligence and surveillance 

gathered by submarines, such as USS PITTSBURGH (SSN 720), and others that had 

been on-station weeks and months before the first missiles were fired. At the end of major 

combat operations, nuclear-powered submarines accounted for about a third of the more 

than 800 Tomahawk missiles launched against Saddam Hussein's regime, and nearly 

8,000 combat and support sorties had been flown from CVNs.
60

At the end of 2008, USS OHIO (SSGN 726) returned to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor 

after her first deployment as an SSGN. During her 14 months away from home, she 

successfully completed three national taskings, earned two Navy Expeditionary medals, 

and hosted a Joint Special Operations Task Force while visiting Busan, Republic of Korea 

to demonstrate the joint command and control capability of the new SSGN platform. 

 In March 2011, USS FLORIDA (SSGN 728) demonstrated the SSGN capabilities by 

launching 93 tomahawk missiles in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. FLORIDA 

launched more than one-third of the initial salvo on the first night as the Joint Force 

enforced U.N. resolutions against Libya. Nearly a year into her deployment, FLORIDA 

was still able to take center stage in the operation. 

 On her maiden deployment in April 2018, USS JOHN WARNER (SSN 785) became 

the first VIRGINIA-class submarine to fire on an enemy target when the ship launched six 

tomahawk missiles, successfully striking Syrian chemical weapons facilities. 

 Aircraft carriers are a formidable military force that clearly and undeniably represent 

our nation’s power by their mere presence — symbols of military strength that 

immediately reassures allies and disquiets potential adversaries. The recent strategic 

message provided by three CVNs, USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), USS THEODORE 

ROOSEVELT (CVN 71), and USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76), operating with our South 

Korean and Japanese allies in 2017, provided an unambiguous signal of our nation’s 

commitment to the continued security and stability of that region. 

 

USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76), USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), and 

USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) Carrier Strike Groups in the Western Pacific with 

B-1B Lancers and F/A-18 Hornets Overhead 
61 

Finally, that agility was also evident as the USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN 75) 

executed a direct display of the Secretary of Defense’s Dynamic Force Employment 

concept in 2019, returning to the European Theater after an unscheduled short homeport 

period. Today, more than ever, our nation needs its aircraft carriers to defend national 

interests in this age of Great Power Competition.

CVNs demonstrate great versatility during humanitarian assistance and disaster 

relief operations. Once on-station, carriers provide much needed supplies, including pure 

drinking water produced by nuclear power. USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN 75) provided 

humanitarian assistance to the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and 

USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) was immediately dispatched to assist the people of Haiti 

following a devastating earthquake in 2010. In March 2011, USS RONALD REAGAN 

(CVN 76) provided disaster relief to Japan in support of Operation Tomodachi, following 

a devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the island of Honshu. USS GEORGE 

WASHINGTON (CVN 73) provided similar rapid assistance to the people of the 

Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013.

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) and USNS MERCY (T-AH 19) 

We marvel at the unparalleled stealth, speed, and endurance of our Nation’s submarine force. 

These ships, along with nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, provide our Nation with the strategic 

deterrence, forward presence, and capability for rapid responses to crises. To be sure, the 

contributions of the nuclear navy to the ongoing Global War on Terror are indisputable.

— The Honorable Duncan L. Hunter

Chairman, House Armed Services Committee

September 2004
62

Arctic Operations

 From both a strategic and scientific standpoint, the Arctic Ocean is an important 

region. Strategically, the Arctic ice can be used as cover to approach the shores of 

bordering nations, including our own. Scientifically, Arctic ice and water hold information 

that can be used to better understand the world's ever-changing environment. 

USS CONNECTICUT (SSN 22), USS HARTFORD (SSN 768), and HMS Trenchant (S-91) surfaced the 

Beaufort Sea during the multinational maritime ICEX 2018, March 21, 2018. 

 At the same time, the Arctic is one of the most challenging environments on the 

planet; perhaps nowhere else is the tactical flexibility provided by nuclear power more

evident than in under-ice operations. A submarine operating under the ice must 

maneuver carefully, using special sonar equipment to avoid shifting ice packs, and keep 

track of clearances, not only below the ship, because the Arctic Ocean is quite shallow in 

many places, but also above the ship, where thick ice extends downward. In addition, 

under-ice operations prevent submarine crews from relying on navigation satellites 

(commonly used in open waters to keep track of position), requiring instead the use of 

shipboard inertial navigation systems and computers which must be constantly updated 

through calculations based on the movement of the ship. Communication, if necessary 

in the Arctic, requires a submarine to locate an area of thin ice and then carefully break 

through to the surface. 
63 

The first U.S. submarine Arctic operations were conducted in 1946 when the dieselpowered submarine, USS ATULE (SS 403), conducted a brief excursion under the ice, 

limited by the need to recharge her batteries. In 1957, USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) 

became the first nuclear-powered submarine to operate under the ice, and in 1958, she 

conducted the first submerged transpolar crossing, reaching the geographic North Pole 

on August 3, 1958. In 1959, USS SKATE (SSN 578) became the first ship to surface at 

the North Pole. In subsequent years, many U.S. nuclear-powered submarines have 

operated under, and surfaced through, the polar ice cap. In 2002, USS CONNECTICUT 

(SSN 22) became the first SEAWOLF-class submarine to surface from under Arctic ice.

While conducting operations in the Arctic, U.S. submarines often collect data and 

samples for scientific study. Occasionally, scientists embark on the submarines to carry 

out more sophisticated tests and experiments. In the spring of 1999, USS HAWKBILL 

(SSN 666) conducted an extensive mission to the Arctic to support numerous scientific 

studies and mapping. This mission successfully concluded a series of five Arctic 

expeditions conducted as a joint venture between the Navy and the National Science 

Foundation. As these trips under the polar ice demonstrate, nuclear power has 

significantly augmented our ability to explore the far reaches of our planet.

USS HAMPTON (SSN 767) surfaces at U.S. Navy Ice Camp Nautilus, located on an ice sheet adrift in the 

Arctic Ocean, as part of ICEX 2014.
64 

Special Projects

Shippingport

Because of the Program's success with nuclear reactors, President Eisenhower 

made the Program responsible for developing the Shippingport Atomic Power Station in 

Shippingport, Pennsylvania — the world's first full-scale atomic powerplant built solely for 

the production of electricity. Operated by the Duquesne Light Company, Shippingport's 

pressurized-water reactor (PWR) design and original cores became prototypes for the 

majority of commercial nuclear power stations. Other Shippingport achievements include 

the following:

• Provided power to Duquesne Light Company customers from 1957-1974 with 

PWR design cores.

• Was available for operation about 65 percent of its life — higher than most other 

commercial plants at the time — despite numerous planned shutdowns for R&D 

purposes.

• First safeguards report for a nuclear power station.

Shippingport Atomic Power Station
65 

Light Water Breeder Reactor (LWBR)

In the early 1960s, the AEC focused R&D efforts on liquid-metal breeder reactors 

that would generate more fissionable material than they would consume while producing 

power. Conventional wisdom was that breeding would not be possible in a PWR plant. 

The Program's successful development of an LWBR core at Shippingport dispelled that 

notion:

• In 1965, LWBR development began with uranium-233 as the "fissile" material; 

and thorium, the "fertile" material. Successful use of thorium, a plentiful 

resource, would provide a source of energy many times greater than the known 

fossil fuel reserves.

• In 1977, the LWBR began operation at Shippingport, generating electricity for 

Duquesne Light Company for 5 years.

• The LWBR core was very reliable, achieving a level of online operation similar 

to its PWR predecessor.

• Extensive end-of-life testing confirmed that the LWBR had operated as 

designed. In fact, breeding occurred at a rate higher than predicted. The 

performance of the core material was excellent.

• LWBR technical reports were made available to the commercial nuclear power 

industry.

The Program remained responsible for Shippingport through end-of-life testing 

and defueling. DOE decommissioned Shippingport in 1989, removed all radioactive 

components, and returned the site to "green-field" condition.

Shippingport Site Following “Green-Field” Release in 1989
66 

NR-1

In 1965, the Program began development of a nuclear-powered deep-submergence 

research and ocean engineering vehicle, designated NR-1. The capability of this manned 

vehicle was far greater than any other research vessel planned or developed at that time 

because of the vastly increased endurance and independence from surface support made 

possible by nuclear power. Launched in January 1969 at Electric Boat, Groton, and 

decommissioned in November 2008, NR-1 provided valuable service to the Navy, other 

Government agencies, and research and educational institutions. In addition to its small 

nuclear propulsion plant, which provided virtually limitless submerged endurance, NR-1's 

characteristics included the following:

• A 400-ton submerged displacement, 150-foot length, and 12-foot diameter.

• A speed of approximately 4 knots, two external electric motors.

• A 3,000-foot operating depth.

• Retractable bottoming wheels.

• Viewing ports and exterior lighting, as well as color television and still cameras 

for photographic studies.

• An object recovery claw and manipulator with gripping and cutting capability.

NR-1
67 

NR-1 was equipped with sophisticated electronics and computers to aid navigation, 

communications, and object location and identification. She could maneuver or hold a 

steady position on or close to the seabed or underwater ridges to detect and identify 

objects at a considerable distance and to lift objects off the ocean floor.

NR-1 had a crew of 5-10 specially trained Navy volunteers and 2 scientists. Able to 

remain submerged and move at maximum speed for extended periods of time, she performed detailed studies and mapping of the ocean bottom (including temperature, 

currents, and other oceanographic data) for military and scientific uses.

The unique capabilities of NR-1 put her in high demand in both the military and the 

scientific communities. NR-1 could remain submerged for up to a month, allowing her to 

survey large areas even in inclement weather. The following are a few of NR-1's past 

scientific missions:

• Participating in the search, identification, and recovery of critical parts of the 

space shuttle Challenger and Egypt Air Flight 990 wreckages.

• Exploring the wreckage of HMHS Britannic (RMS Titanic's sister ship), lost in 

the Mediterranean during World War II under mysterious circumstances.

• Locating and surveying ancient Roman shipwrecks lost while on trading voyages 

between Rome and Carthage.

• Participating in Jason Project VII, a joint scientific and educational effort with an 

overall mission of engaging students in science and technology through the use 

of interactive telecommunications.

NR-1 with her support vessel SSV CAROLYN CHOUEST off Key Largo, Florida.
68

Program Locations

 As seen on the map below, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program activities can be 

found throughout the United States. From the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard at Kittery, 

Maine, to the submarine base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; from the training center at 

Charleston, South Carolina, to Naval Base Kitsap at Bangor, Washington, Program 

interests crisscross the Nation. With submarines based in Guam, an aircraft carrier 

forward deployed in Yokosuka, Japan, and U.S. nuclear-powered vessels welcome in 

numerous ports throughout the world, the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program is truly 

global in scope. 
69 

Program Directors − Past and Present

Admiral Hyman G. Rickover

U.S. Navy

DIRECTOR

AUGUST 4, 1948 – JANUARY 31, 1982

Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, the Father of the 

Nuclear Navy, was born in Makow, Russia, on 

January 27, 1900. At the age of 6, he came to the 

United States, settling in Chicago, Illinois. Admiral 

Rickover entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1918 

and was commissioned an ensign in June 1922.

Following sea duty aboard the destroyer 

USS LA VALLETTE (DD 315) and the battleship 

USS NEVADA (BB 36), Admiral Rickover 

attended Columbia University, where he earned 

the degree of Master of Science in Electrical 

Engineering. From 1929 to 1933, he qualified for 

submarine duty and command aboard the 

submarines USS S 9 (SS 114) and USS S 48 

(SS 159). In June 1937, he assumed command 

of the minesweeper USS FINCH (AM 9). Later 

that year, he was selected as an Engineering Duty Officer and spent the remainder of his career 

serving in that specialty.

During World War II, Admiral Rickover served as Head of the Electrical Section of the Bureau 

of Ships and later as Commanding Officer of the Naval Repair Base, Okinawa. In 1946, he was 

assigned to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Laboratory at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 

and, in early 1949, to the Division of Reactor Development, AEC.

As director of the Naval Reactors Branch, Admiral Rickover developed the world's first 

nuclear-powered submarine, USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571), which went to sea in 1955. In the years 

that followed, Admiral Rickover directed all aspects of building and operating the nuclear fleet.

Admiral Rickover's numerous medals and decorations include the Distinguished Service 

Medal, Legion of Merit, Navy Commendation Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. In 

recognition of his wartime service, he was made Honorary Commander of the Military Division of 

the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Admiral Rickover was twice awarded the 

Congressional Gold Medal for exceptional public service. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter 

presented Admiral Rickover with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest nonmilitary honor, for his contributions to world peace.

Admiral Rickover retired from the United States Navy on January 31, 1982, after over 63 years 

of service to his country and to 13 Presidents. His name is memorialized in Rickover Hall at the 

Naval Academy, and two attack submarines, the now-decommissioned USS HYMAN G. 

RICKOVER (SSN 709) and Pre-Commissioning Unit HYMAN G. RICKOVER (SSN 795). Admiral 

Rickover died on July 8, 1986, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The Engineering 

Honor Society Tau Beta Pi named Admiral Rickover as one of the Top Ten Engineers of the 

Twentieth Century in December 1999.
70 

Admiral Kinnaird R. McKee

U.S. Navy

DIRECTOR

FEBRUARY 1, 1982 – OCTOBER 21, 1988

Admiral Kinnaird R. McKee was born in 

Louisville, Kentucky, on August 14, 1929, and 

graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1951. 

He served aboard the Pacific fleet destroyer 

USS MARSHALL (DD 676) during the Korean 

War and in eight submarines of the Atlantic fleet 

since that time. After completion of submarine 

training in 1953, he served in three dieselpowered submarines: USS PICUDA (SS 382), 

USS SEA CAT (SS 399), and USS MARLIN 

(SST 2). In 1956, Admiral McKee was ordered to 

command of USS X-1, a small experimental 

submarine. He graduated from nuclear power 

training in 1958 and joined the commissioning 

crew of USS SKIPJACK (SSN 585), the Navy's 

first high-performance nuclear-powered attack 

submarine. Assignment as Executive Officer, 

USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571), followed in 1961; then of USS SAM HOUSTON (SSBN 609) in late 

1962. After three deterrent patrols in SAM HOUSTON, he served in the Naval Reactors Division 

of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission from 1964 to 1966.

Admiral McKee served as Commanding Officer of the nuclear-powered attack submarine 

USS DACE (SSN 607) from 1966 through 1969. The ship was twice awarded the Navy Unit 

Commendation and three times the Battle Efficiency Pennant for operations during that period. 

Following command of DACE, Admiral McKee served in the office of the Director, Navy Program 

Planning, where his responsibilities included strategic warfare, research and development, and 

submarine and antisubmarine warfare systems. In 1970, he was assigned to the immediate staff 

of the Chief of Naval Operations, where he established the CNO Executive Panel. As 

Commander, Submarine Group EIGHT, Admiral McKee served as the NATO and U.S. Submarine 

Commander in the Mediterranean from 1973 to 1975. On August 1, 1975, he became the 48th

Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. Promoted to three-star rank in March 1978, Admiral 

McKee served as Commander, THIRD Fleet with headquarters in Pearl Harbor. He was then 

assigned as Director, Naval Warfare, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, concurrent with the 

expansion of the directorate from its original concentration on antisubmarine warfare to 

responsibility for all aspects of naval warfare. He developed and implemented the new 

organization.

On February 1, 1982, he relieved Admiral Rickover as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion. 

On March 2, 1982, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate for promotion to four-star rank.

Admiral McKee's decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, five awards of the 

Legion of Merit, and three awards of the Navy Unit Commendation.

Admiral McKee retired on October 31, 1988, after 41 years of service to his country.

Admiral McKee died on December 30, 2013, and is buried at the U.S. Naval Academy 

Cemetery. 
71 

Admiral Bruce DeMars

U.S. Navy

DIRECTOR

OCTOBER 22, 1988 – SEPTEMBER 26, 1996

Admiral Bruce DeMars was born in Chicago, 

Illinois, on June 3, 1935, and graduated from the 

U.S. Naval Academy in 1957. Following 

commissioning, he served in the attack transports 

USS TELFAIR (APA 210) and USS OKANOGAN 

(APA 220) and, after Submarine School, the 

diesel-electric submarine USS CAPITAINE 

(SS 336). Following nuclear power training, he 

served in the nuclear-powered submarines 

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (SSBN 598), 

USS SNOOK (SSN 592), and USS STURGEON 

(SSN 637) before reporting for duty as 

Commanding Officer, USS CAVALLA (SSN 684).

Shore duty tours included instructor duty at 

Nuclear Power School and Submarine School 

and attendance at the Armed Forces Staff 

College. After staff duty with Submarine 

Squadron TEN, Admiral DeMars served as Senior Member of the Nuclear Propulsion Examining 

Board, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. He commanded Submarine Development Squadron TWELVE in New 

London, Connecticut and then served as Deputy Director, Attack Submarine Division in the Office 

of the Chief of Naval Operations, until selected for promotion to Rear Admiral in 1981.

As a Flag Officer, Admiral DeMars served as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas/ 

Commander, U.S. Naval Base Guam; as Commander in Chief, Pacific Representative for Guam 

and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; and as Deputy Assistant Chief and then Deputy Chief 

of Naval Operations for Submarine Warfare.

On September 30, 1988, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate for promotion to four-star rank. 

On October 22, 1988, he relieved Admiral McKee as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion.

Admiral DeMars retired on October 1, 1996, after 43 years of service to his country.

Admiral DeMars' decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, four awards of the 

Legion of Merit, two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, two awards of the Navy 

Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, and the Navy Unit Commendation.
72 

Admiral Frank L. "Skip" Bowman

U.S. Navy

DIRECTOR

SEPTEMBER 27, 1996 – NOVEMBER 4, 2004

Admiral Frank L. "Skip" Bowman was born and 

grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was 

commissioned following graduation from Duke 

University. In 1973, he completed a dual master's 

program in nuclear engineering and naval 

architecture / marine engineering at the 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was 

elected to the Society of Sigma Xi. He has served 

on two visiting committees at MIT (Ocean 

Engineering and Nuclear Engineering), the 

Engineering Board of Visitors at Duke University, 

and the Nuclear Engineering Department Advisory 

Committee at the University of Tennessee.

His early assignments included tours in 

USS SIMON BOLIVAR (SSBN 641), USS POGY 

(SSN 647), USS DANIEL BOONE (SSBN 629), and USS BREMERTON (SSN 698). In 1983, 

Admiral Bowman took command of USS CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI (SSN 705), which 

completed a 7-month circumnavigation of the globe and two special classified missions during his 

command tour. His crew earned three consecutive Battle Efficiency "E" awards. Admiral Bowman 

later commanded the tender USS HOLLAND (AS 32) from August 1988 to April 1990. During this 

period, the HOLLAND crew was awarded two Battle Efficiency "E" awards.

Ashore, Admiral Bowman has served on the staff of Commander, Submarine Squadron 

FIFTEEN, in Guam; twice in the Bureau of Naval Personnel in the Submarine Policy and 

Assignment Division; as the SSN 21 Attack Submarine Program Coordinator on the staff of the 

Chief of Naval Operations; on the Chief of Naval Operations' Strategic Studies Group; and as 

Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Naval Warfare). In December 1991, 

he was promoted to flag rank and assigned as Deputy Director of Operations on the Joint Staff 

(J-3) until June 1992, and then as Director for Political-Military Affairs (J-5) until July 1994. Admiral 

Bowman served as Chief of Naval Personnel from July 1994 to September 1996.

Admiral Bowman assumed duties as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion, on September 27, 

1996, and was promoted to the four-star rank on October 1, 1996.

Admiral Bowman retired on January 1, 2005, after more than 38 years of service.

Under his command, his crews have earned the Meritorious Unit Commendation (three 

awards), the Navy Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbon (five awards), the Navy Expeditionary Medal (two 

awards), the Humanitarian Service Medal (two awards), the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon 

(three awards), and the Navy Arctic Service Ribbon. His personal awards include the Defense 

Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with 

three gold stars), and the Officier de I'Ordre National du Mérite from the Government of France.
73 

Admiral Kirkland H. Donald

U.S. Navy

DIRECTOR

NOVEMBER 5, 2004 – NOVEMBER 2, 2012

Originally from Norlina, North Carolina, Admiral 

Kirkland H. Donald graduated from the U.S. Naval 

Academy in 1975 with a bachelor of science in 

ocean engineering. He also holds a master's 

degree in business administration from the 

University of Phoenix and is a graduate of Harvard 

University's John F. Kennedy School of 

Government Senior Executive Fellows Program.

After nuclear power and submarine training, he 

served in USS BATFISH (SSN 681), 

USS MARIANO G. VALLEJO (SSBN 658), and 

USS SEAHORSE (SSN 669).

Admiral Donald was Commanding Officer, 

USS KEY WEST (SSN 722), from October 1990 to 

February 1993. He served as Commander, 

Submarine Development Squadron 12 from August 1995 to July 1997. From June 2002 to July 

2003, he was assigned as Commander, Submarine Group 8; Commander, Submarine Force 6th 

Fleet (CTF 69); Commander, Submarines Allied Naval Forces South; and Commander, Fleet 

Ballistic Missile Submarine Force (CTF 164) in Naples, Italy. He served as Commander, Naval 

Submarine Forces; Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Commander, Allied 

Submarine Command; and Commander, Task Forces 84 and 144, in Norfolk, Virginia.

His shore assignments include the Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board and the 

staff of the Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion. He also served at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, 

on the Joint Staff, and as Deputy Chief of Staff for C4I, Resources, Requirements and 

Assessments, U.S. Pacific Fleet. 

Admiral Donald was confirmed by the Senate to receive a fourth star on September 30, 2004 

and assumed duties as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion, on November 5, 2004. Admiral 

Donald retired in December 2012 after more than 37 years of service.

Admiral Donald is authorized to wear the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (three awards), 

Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with four gold stars, and the Meritorious Service 

Medal with one gold star, in addition to other personal and unit awards.
74

Admiral John M. Richardson 

U.S. Navy 

DIRECTOR

NOVEMBER 2, 2012 – AUGUST 14, 2015

 Admiral John Richardson graduated from the 

U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 with a Bachelor of 

Science in Physics. He also holds master’s 

degrees in electrical engineering from the 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology and 

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and 

National Security Strategy from the National War 

College. 

 At sea, Admiral Richardson served on 

USS PARCHE (SSN 683), USS GEORGE C. 

MARSHALL (SSBN 654), and USS SALT LAKE 

CITY (SSN 716). He commanded 

USS HONOLULU (SSN 718) in Pearl Harbor, 

Hawaii. 

 Admiral Richardson also served as 

Commodore of Submarine Development 

Squadron (DEVRON) 12; Commander, Submarine Group 8; Commander, Submarine Allied Naval

Forces South; Deputy Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet; Chief of Staff, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and 

U.S. Naval Forces Africa; Commander, Naval Submarine Forces; and Director of Naval Reactors. 

 His staff assignments include duty in the Attack Submarine Division on the Chief of Naval 

Operations staff; Naval Aide to the President; prospective commanding officer instructor for 

Commander, Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Assistant Deputy Director for Regional 

Operations on the Joint Staff; and Director of Strategy and Policy at U.S. Joint Forces Command. 

 Admiral Richardson served on teams that have been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, 

the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Navy Unit Commendation, and the Navy “E” Ribbon. He 

was awarded the Vice Admiral Stockdale Award for his time in command of USS HONOLULU. 

 Admiral Richardson assumed duties as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion, on November 2, 

2012. He served as the 31st Chief of Naval Operations from September 2015 to August 2019. 

Admiral Richardson retired in August 2019 after 37 years of service. 
75 

Admiral James F. Caldwell, Jr.

U.S. Navy

DIRECTOR

AUGUST 14, 2015 – PRESENT

Admiral Caldwell received his commission 

graduating with distinction from the U.S. Naval 

Academy in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in 

Marine Engineering. He also holds Master of 

Science in Operations Research from the Naval 

Postgraduate School.

Admiral Caldwell commanded 

USS JACKSONVILLE (SSN 699) homeported in 

Norfolk, Virginia; Submarine Development 

Squadron (DEVRON) TWELVE in New London, 

Connecticut; Submarine Group NINE in Bangor, 

Washington; and the Submarine Force, U.S. 

Pacific Fleet in Hawaii. His sea tours include 

service in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. His 

operational assignments include duty as division 

officer on USS BOSTON (SSN 703), engineer 

officer on USS ALABAMA (SSBN 731) (GOLD),

and executive officer on USS BUFFALO (SSN 715).

Ashore, Admiral Caldwell served on the Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board and 

later as Undersea Warfare (USW) Requirements officer on the staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. 

Pacific Fleet. He also served as senior member of the Naval Submarine Force’s Tactical 

Readiness Evaluation Team, and on the Joint Staff as deputy director for Politico-Military Affairs 

for Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Russia and Africa. His flag tours ashore include 

deputy commander for U.S. Strategic Command’s Joint Functional Component Command for 

Global Strike in Omaha, Nebraska; the Naval Inspector General, Washington Navy Yard, D.C.; 

and most recently on the Office of Naval Operations (OPNAV) Staff as the Director, Navy Staff.

Admiral Caldwell assumed his current duties as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion, on 

August 14, 2015.

Admiral Caldwell’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior 

Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy 

and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Naval Submarine League’s Charles A. Lockwood 

Award. 
76 

Program Statistics

(As of October 1, 2019)

Active nuclear-powered combat submarines 68

Active nuclear-powered aircraft carriers 11

Total active nuclear-powered ships 79

Total nuclear-powered ships built 230

Number of miles steamed on nuclear power >166,000,000

Number of reactor-years of operation >7,100

Number of officers trained or in training >25,500

Number of enlisted personnel trained or in training >117,100

Number of civilians trained or in training >2,100

Total number of cores taken critical (including refuelings) 553

Number of reactors currently in operation 98

Percentage of major Navy combatants that are nuclear-powered >40%

A LOS ANGELES-class attack submarine surfacing.
77

U.S. Nuclear-Powered Ship Program Summary 

(As of October 1, 2019) 

Class 

Authorized by 

Congress 

Under 

Construction 

In Commission Decommissioned 

VIRGINIA (SSN 774) 28 9 17 0 

SEAWOLF (SSN 21) 3 0 3 0 

LOS ANGELES (SSN 688) 62 0 313,4 26 

Other SSNs (Fast Attack Subs) 68

1 0 0 781

TOTAL SSNs 161 9 50

3,4 104

OHIO (SSGN 726) 182 0 142 0 

Polaris / Poseidon SSBNs (Ballistic Missile Subs) 411 0 0 311

TOTAL SSBNs 59 0 14 31 

TOTAL SSGNs 0 0 4

2 0

TOTAL SUBMARINES 220 9 68 3,4 135

ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) 1 0 0 1

NIMITZ (CVN 68) 10 0 10 0

GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78) 4 3 1 0

CGNs (Guided Missile Cruisers) 9 0 0 9

TOTAL NUCLEAR-POWERED SURFACE SHIPS 24 3 11 10 

TOTAL NUCLEAR-POWERED SHIPS 244 12 79 3,4 145 

 

1

 Ten ships originally authorized by Congress as a fleet ballistic missile submarines were converted to fast-attack 

submarines. 

2 Four SSBNs were removed from strategic service and designated SSGNs. 

3 Although still considered “In Commission,” two LOS ANGELES-class submarines, USS LA JOLLA (SSN 701) and 

USS SAN FRANCISCO (SSN 711), are out of fleet service undergoing conversion to be Moored Training Ships. 

4 Although still considered “In Commission,” four LOS ANGELES-class submarines USS BREMERTON (698), 

USS JACKSONVILLE (SSN 699), USS BUFFALO (SSN 715), and USS PITTSBURGH (SSN 720) are out of fleet 

service and undergoing inactivation.
78

U.S. Nuclear-Powered Submarines

NUCLEAR-POWERED ATTACK SUBMARINES (SSN) 

Name Hull Nr. Class Builder Shpbldg

Prog. FY Keel Laid Launched Comm'd Decomm'd 

Nautilus SSN 571 571 Electric Boat 1952 06/14/52 01/21/54 09/30/54 03/03/80

Seawolf SSN 575 575 Electric Boat 1953 09/07/53 07/21/55 03/30/57 03/31/87

Skate SSN 578 578 Electric Boat 1955 07/21/55 05/16/57 12/23/57 09/12/86

Swordfish SSN 579 578 Portsmouth 1955 01/25/56 08/27/57 09/15/58 06/02/89

Sargo SSN 583 578 Mare Island 1956 02/21/56 10/10/57 10/01/58 02/26/88

Seadragon SSN 584 578 Portsmouth 1956 06/20/56 08/16/58 12/05/59 06/12/84

Skipjack SSN 585 585 Electric Boat 1956 05/29/56 05/26/58 04/15/59 04/19/90

Triton SSN 586 586 Electric Boat 1956 05/29/56 08/19/58 11/10/59 04/30/86

Halibut SSN 587 587 Mare Island 1956 04/11/57 01/09/59 01/04/60 06/30/76

Scamp SSN 588 585 Mare Island 1957 01/23/59 10/08/60 06/05/61 04/28/88

Scorpion SSN 589 585 Electric Boat 1957 08/20/58 12/19/59 07/29/60 05/22/68 1

Sculpin SSN 590 585 Ingalls 1957 02/03/58 03/31/60 06/01/61 08/03/90

Shark SSN 591 585 Newport News 1957 02/24/58 03/16/60 02/09/61 09/15/90

Snook SSN 592 585 Ingalls 1957 04/07/58 10/31/60 10/24/61 10/16/86

Permit SSN 594 594 Mare Island 1958 05/01/59 07/01/61 05/29/62 07/23/91

Thresher SSN 593 594 Portsmouth 1957 05/28/58 07/09/60 08/03/61 04/10/63 1

Plunger SSN 595 594 Mare Island 1958 03/02/60 12/09/61 11/21/62 02/02/90

Barb SSN 596 594 Ingalls 1958 11/09/59 02/12/62 08/24/63 12/20/89

Pollack SSN 603 594 NY Shipbuilding 1959 03/14/60 03/17/62 05/26/64 03/01/89

Haddo SSN 604 594 NY Shipbuilding 1959 09/09/60 08/18/62 12/16/64 06/12/91

Jack SSN 605 594 Portsmouth 1959 09/16/60 04/24/63 03/31/67 07/11/90

Tinosa SSN 606 594 Portsmouth 1959 11/24/59 12/09/61 11/17/64 01/15/92

Dace SSN 607 594 Ingalls 1959 06/06/60 08/18/62 04/04/64 12/02/88

Guardfish SSN 612 594 NY Shipbuilding 1960 02/28/61 05/15/65 12/20/66 02/04/92

Flasher SSN 613 594 Electric Boat 1960 04/14/61 06/22/63 07/22/66 09/14/92

Greenling SSN 614 594 Quincy 1960 08/15/61 04/04/64 11/03/67 04/18/94

Gato SSN 615 594 Quincy 1960 12/15/61 05/14/64 01/25/68 04/25/96

Haddock SSN 621 594 Ingalls 1961 04/24/61 05/21/66 12/22/67 04/07/93

Tullibee SSN 597 597 Electric Boat 1958 05/26/58 04/27/60 11/09/60 06/18/88

Sturgeon SSN 637 637 Electric Boat 1962 08/10/63 02/26/66 03/03/67 08/01/94

Whale SSN 638 637 Quincy 1962 05/27/64 10/14/66 10/12/68 06/25/96

Tautog SSN639 637 Ingalls 1962 01/27/64 04/15/67 08/17/68 03/31/97

Grayling SSN 646 637 Portsmouth 1963 05/12/64 06/22/67 10/11/69 07/18/97

Pogy SSN 647 637 NY Ship / Ingalls 1963 05/05/64 06/03/67 05/15/71 06/11/99

Aspro SSN 648 637 Ingalls 1963 11/23/64 11/29/67 02/20/69 03/31/95

Sunfish SSN 649 637 Quincy 1963 01/15/65 10/14/66 03/15/69 03/31/97

Pargo SSN 650 637 Electric Boat 1963 06/03/64 09/17/66 01/05/68 04/14/95

Queenfish SSN 651 637 Newport News 1963 05/11/64 02/25/66 12/06/66 04/14/92

Puffer SSN 652 637 Ingalls 1963 02/08/65 03/30/68 08/09/69 07/12/96

Ray SSN 653 637 Newport News 1963 01/04/65 06/21/66 04/12/67 03/16/93

Sand Lance SSN 660 637 Portsmouth 1964 01/15/65 11/11/69 09/25/71 08/07/98

Lapon SSN 661 637 Newport News 1964 07/26/65 12/16/66 12/14/67 08/08/92

Gurnard SSN 662 637 Mare Island 1964 12/22/64 05/20/67 12/06/68 04/28/95

Hammerhead SSN 663 637 Newport News 1964 11/29/65 04/14/67 06/28/68 04/05/95

Sea Devil SSN 664 637 Newport News 1964 04/12/66 10/05/67 01/30/69 10/16/91

Guitarro SSN 665 637 Mare Island 1965 12/09/65 07/27/68 09/09/72 05/29/92

Hawkbill SSN 666 637 Mare Island 1965 09/12/66 04/12/69 02/04/71 03/15/00

Bergall SSN 667 637 Electric Boat 1965 04/16/66 02/17/68 06/13/69 06/06/96

Spadefish SSN 668 637 Newport News 1965 12/21/66 05/15/68 08/14/69 04/11/97

Seahorse SSN 669 637 Electric Boat 1965 08/13/66 06/15/68 09/19/69 08/17/95

Finback SSN 670 637 Newport News 1965 06/26/67 12/07/68 02/04/70 03/28/97

Pintado SSN 672 637 Mare Island 1966 10/27/67 08/16/69 09/11/71 02/26/98

Flying Fish SSN 673 637 Electric Boat 1966 06/30/67 05/17/69 04/29/70 05/16/96
79

Name Hull Nr. Class Builder Shpbldg

Prog. FY 

Keel 

Laid Launched Comm'd Decomm'd 

Trepang SSN 674 637 Electric Boat 1966 10/28/67 09/27/69 08/14/70 06/01/99

Bluefish SSN 675 637 Electric Boat 1966 03/13/68 01/10/70 01/08/71 05/31/96

Billfish SSN 676 637 Electric Boat 1966 09/20/68 05/01/70 03/12/71 07/01/99

Drum SSN 677 637 Mare Island 1966 08/20/68 05/23/70 04/15/72 10/30/95

Archerfish SSN 678 637 Electric Boat 1967 06/19/69 01/16/71 12/17/71 03/31/98

Silversides SSN 679 637 Electric Boat 1967 10/13/69 06/04/71 05/05/72 07/21/94

William H. Bates SSN 680 637 Ingalls 1967 08/04/69 12/11/71 05/05/73 02/11/00

Batfish SSN 681 637 Electric Boat 1967 02/09/70 10/09/71 09/01/72 03/17/99

Tunny SSN 682 637 Ingalls 1967 05/22/70 06/10/72 01/26/74 03/13/98

Parche SSN 683 637 Ingalls 1968 12/10/70 01/13/73 08/17/74 07/18/05

Cavalla SSN 684 637 Electric Boat 1968 06/04/70 02/19/72 02/09/73 03/30/98

L. Mendel Rivers SSN 686 637 Newport News 1969 06/26/71 06/02/73 02/01/75 05/10/01

Richard B. Russell SSN 687 637 Newport News 1969 10/19/71 01/12/74 08/16/75 06/24/94

Narwhal SSN 671 671 Electric Boat 1964 01/17/66 09/09/67 07/12/69 01/31/00

Glenard P. Lipscomb SSN 685 685 Electric Boat 1968 06/05/71 08/04/73 12/21/74 07/11/90

Los Angeles SSN 688 688 Newport News 1970 01/08/72 04/06/74 11/13/76 02/04/11

Baton Rouge SSN 689 688 Newport News 1970 11/18/72 04/26/75 06/25/77 01/13/95

Philadelphia SSN 690 688 Electric Boat 1970 08/12/72 10/19/74 06/25/77 06/30/11

Memphis SSN 691 688 Newport News 1971 06/23/73 04/03/76 12/17/77 01/20/12

Omaha SSN 692 688 Electric Boat 1971 01/27/73 02/21/76 03/11/78 10/05/95

Cincinnati SSN 693 688 Newport News 1971 04/06/74 02/19/77 06/10/78 07/31/95

Groton SSN 694 688 Electric Boat 1971 08/03/73 10/09/76 07/08/78 11/07/97

Birmingham SSN 695 688 Newport News 1972 04/26/75 10/29/77 12/16/78 12/23/97

New York City SSN 696 688 Electric Boat 1972 12/15/73 06/18/77 03/03/79 04/30/97

Indianapolis SSN 697 688 Electric Boat 1972 10/19/74 07/30/77 01/05/80 12/22/98

Bremerton SSN 698 688 Electric Boat 1972 05/08/76 07/22/78 03/28/81 ———

Jacksonville SSN 699 688 Electric Boat 1972 02/21/76 11/18/78 05/16/81 ———

Dallas SSN 700 688 Electric Boat 1973 10/09/76 04/28/79 07/18/81 04/04/18

La Jolla 2 SSN 701 688 Electric Boat 1973 10/16/76 08/11/79 10/24/81 ———

Phoenix SSN 702 688 Electric Boat 1973 07/30/77 12/08/79 12/19/81 07/29/98

Boston SSN 703 688 Electric Boat 1973 08/11/78 04/19/80 01/30/82 11/19/99

Baltimore SSN 704 688 Electric Boat 1973 05/21/79 12/13/80 07/24/82 07/10/98

City of Corpus Christi SSN 705 688 Electric Boat 1973 09/04/79 04/25/81 01/08/83 08/03/17

Albuquerque SSN 706 688 Electric Boat 1974 12/27/79 03/13/82 05/21/83 02/23/17

Portsmouth SSN 707 688 Electric Boat 1974 05/08/80 09/18/82 10/01/83 08/18/05

Minneapolis–St. Paul SSN 708 688 Electric Boat 1974 01/20/81 03/19/83 03/10/84 08/28/08

Hyman G. Rickover SSN 709 688 Electric Boat 1974 07/24/81 08/27/83 07/21/84 12/17/07

Augusta SSN 710 688 Electric Boat 1974 04/01/82 01/21/84 01/19/85 02/11/09

San Francisco 3 SSN 711 688 Newport News 1975 05/26/77 10/27/79 04/24/81 ———

Atlanta SSN 712 688 Newport News 1975 08/17/78 08/16/80 03/06/82 12/16/99

Houston SSN 713 688 Newport News 1975 01/29/79 03/21/81 09/25/82 08/24/17

Norfolk SSN 714 688 Newport News 1976 08/01/79 10/31/81 05/21/83 12/11/14

Buffalo SSN 715 688 Newport News 1976 01/25/80 05/08/82 11/05/83 ———

Salt Lake City SSN 716 688 Newport News 1977 08/26/80 10/16/82 05/12/84 10/25/06

Olympia SSN 717 688 Newport News 1977 03/31/81 04/30/83 11/17/84 ———

Honolulu SSN 718 688 Newport News 1977 11/10/81 09/24/83 07/06/85 10/30/07

Providence SSN 719 688 Electric Boat 1978 10/14/82 08/04/84 07/27/85 ———

Pittsburgh SSN 720 688 Electric Boat 1979 04/15/83 12/08/84 11/23/85 ———

Chicago SSN 721 688 Newport News 1980 01/05/83 10/13/84 09/27/86 ———

Key West SSN 722 688 Newport News 1980 07/06/83 07/20/85 09/12/87 ———

Oklahoma City SSN 723 688 Newport News 1981 01/04/84 11/02/85 07/09/88 ———

Louisville SSN 724 688 Electric Boat 1981 09/24/84 12/14/85 11/08/86 ———

Helena SSN 725 688 Electric Boat 1982 03/28/85 06/28/86 07/11/87 ———

Newport News SSN 750 688 Newport News 1982 03/03/84 03/15/86 06/03/89 ———

San Juan SSN 751 688i4 Electric Boat 1983 08/09/85 12/06/86 08/06/88 ———
80

Name Hull Nr. Class Builder Shpbldg

Prog. FY Keel Laid Launched Comm'd Decomm'd 

Pasadena SSN 752 688i4 Electric Boat 1983 12/20/85 09/12/87 02/11/89 ———

Albany SSN 753 688i Newport News 1984 04/22/85 06/13/87 04/07/90 ———

Topeka SSN 754 688i Electric Boat 1984 05/13/86 01/23/88 10/21/89 ———

Miami SSN 755 688i Electric Boat 1984 10/24/86 11/12/88 06/30/90 03/28/14

Scranton SSN 756 688i Newport News 1985 08/29/86 07/03/89 01/26/91 ———

Alexandria SSN 757 688i Electric Boat 1985 06/19/87 06/23/90 06/29/91 ———

Asheville SSN 758 688i Newport News 1985 01/09/87 02/24/90 09/28/91 ———

Jefferson City SSN 759 688i Newport News 1985 09/21/87 08/17/90 02/29/92 ———

Annapolis SSN 760 688i Electric Boat 1986 06/15/88 05/18/91 04/11/92 ———

Springfield SSN 761 688i Electric Boat 1986 01/29/90 01/04/92 01/09/93 ———

Columbus SSN 762 688i Electric Boat 1986 01/09/91 08/01/92 07/24/93 ———

Santa Fe SSN 763 688i Electric Boat 1986 07/09/91 12/12/92 01/08/94 ———

Boise SSN 764 688i Newport News 1987 05/25/88 03/23/91 11/07/92 ———

Montpelier SSN 765 688i Newport News 1987 05/19/89 08/23/91 03/13/93 ———

Charlotte SSN 766 688i Newport News 1987 08/17/90 10/03/92 09/16/94 ———

Hampton SSN 767 688i Newport News 1987 03/02/90 04/03/92 11/16/93 ———

Hartford SSN 768 688i Electric Boat 1988 02/22/92 12/04/93 12/10/94 ———

Toledo SSN 769 688i Newport News 1988 05/06/91 08/28/93 02/24/95 ———

Tucson SSN 770 688i Newport News 1988 08/15/91 03/20/94 08/18/95 ———

Columbia SSN 771 688i Electric Boat 1988 04/21/93 09/24/94 10/09/95 ———

Greeneville SSN 772 688i Newport News 1989 02/28/92 09/17/94 02/16/96 ———

Cheyenne SSN 773 688i Newport News 1990 07/06/92 04/16/95 09/13/96 ———

Seawolf SSN 021 021 Electric Boat 1989 10/25/89 06/24/95 07/19/97 ———

Connecticut SSN 022 021 Electric Boat 1991 09/14/92 09/01/97 12/11/98 ———

Jimmy Carter SSN 023 021 Electric Boat 1996 12/12/95 05/13/04 02/19/05 ———

Virginia SSN 774 774 Electric Boat 1998 09/02/99 08/07/03 10/23/04 ———

Texas SSN 775 774 Newport News 1999 07/12/02 04/09/05 09/09/06 ———

Hawaii SSN 776 774 Electric Boat 2001 08/27/04 04/28/06 05/05/07 ———

North Carolina SSN 777 774 Newport News 2002 05/22/04 05/05/07 05/03/08 ———

New Hampshire SSN 778 774 Electric Boat 2003 04/30/07 02/21/08 10/25/08 ———

New Mexico SSN 779 774 Newport News 2004 04/12/08 01/07/09 03/27/10 ———

Missouri SSN 780 774 Electric Boat 2005 09/27/08 11/20/09 07/31/10 ———

California SSN 781 774 Newport News 2006 05/01/09 11/13/10 10/29/11 ———

Mississippi SSN 782 774 Electric Boat 2007 06/09/10 10/13/11 06/02/12 ———

Minnesota SSN 783 774 Newport News 2008 05/20/11 11/03/12 09/07/13 ———

North Dakota SSN 784 774 Electric Boat 2009 05/11/12 09/15/13 10/25/14 ———

John Warner SSN 785 774 Newport News 2010 03/16/13 09/10/14 08/01/15 ———

Illinois SSN 786 774 Electric Boat 2011 06/02/14 08/08/15 10/29/16 ———

Washington SSN 787 774 Newport News 2011 11/22/14 03/25/16 10/07/17 ———

Colorado SSN 788 774 Electric Boat 2012 03/07/15 12/29/16 03/17/18 ———

Indiana SSN 789 774 Newport News 2012 05/16/15 06/04/17 09/29/18 ———

South Dakota SSN 790 774 Electric Boat 2013 04/04/16 10/14/17 02/02/19 ———

Delaware SSN 791 774 Newport News 2013 04/30/16 12/14/18 ——— ———

Vermont SSN 792 774 Electric Boat 2014 10/20/18 03/27/19 ——— ———

Oregon SSN 793 774 Electric Boat 2014 07/08/17 04/20/18 ——— ———

Montana SSN 794 774 Newport News 2015 05/16/18 05/08/19 ——— ———

Hyman G. Rickover SSN 795 774 Electric Boat 2015 05/11/18 ——— ——— ———

New Jersey SSN 796 774 Newport News 2016 05/25/19 ——— ——— ———

Iowa SSN 797 774 Electric Boat 2016 08/20/19 ——— ——— ———

Massachusetts SSN 798 774 Newport News 2017 ——— ——— ——— ———

Idaho SSN 799 774 Electric Boat 2017 ——— ——— ——— ———

Arkansas SSN 800 774 Newport News ——— ——— ——— ——— ———

Utah SSN 801 774 Electric Boat ——— ——— ——— ——— ———
81

NUCLEAR-POWERED BALLISTIC MISSILE SUBMARINES (SSBN) 

Name Hull Nr. Class Builder Shpbldg

Prog. FY 

Keel 

Laid Launched Comm'd Decomm'd 

George Washington SSBN 598 598 Electric Boat 1958 11/01/57 06/09/59 12/30/59 01/24/85

Patrick Henry SSBN 599 598 Electric Boat 1958 05/27/58 09/22/59 04/11/60 05/25/84

Theodore Roosevelt SSBN 600 598 Mare Island 1958 05/20/58 10/03/59 02/13/61 02/28/81

Robert E. Lee SSBN 601 598 Newport News 1959 08/25/58 12/18/59 09/16/60 12/01/83

Abraham Lincoln SSBN 602 598 Portsmouth 1959 11/01/58 05/14/60 03/11/61 02/28/81

Ethan Allen SSBN 608 608 Electric Boat 1959 09/14/59 11/22/60 08/08/61 03/31/83

Sam Houston SSBN 609 608 Newport News 1959 12/28/59 02/02/61 03/06/62 09/06/91

Thomas A. Edison SSBN 610 608 Electric Boat 1959 03/15/60 06/15/61 03/10/62 12/01/83

John Marshall SSBN 611 608 Newport News 1959 04/04/60 07/15/61 05/21/62 07/22/92

Thomas Jefferson SSBN 618 608 Newport News 1961 02/03/61 02/24/62 01/04/63 01/24/85

Lafayette SSBN 616 616 Electric Boat 1961 01/17/61 05/08/62 04/23/63 08/12/91

Alexander Hamilton SSBN 617 616 Electric Boat 1961 06/26/61 08/18/62 06/27/63 02/23/93

Andrew Jackson SSBN 619 616 Mare Island 1961 04/26/61 09/15/62 07/03/63 08/31/89

John Adams SSBN 620 616 Portsmouth 1961 05/19/61 01/12/63 05/12/64 03/24/89

James Monroe SSBN 622 616 Newport News 1961 07/31/61 08/04/62 12/07/63 09/25/90

Nathan Hale SSBN 623 616 Electric Boat 1961 10/02/61 01/12/63 11/23/63 11/03/86

Woodrow Wilson SSBN 624 616 Mare Island 1961 09/13/61 02/22/63 12/27/63 09/01/94

Henry Clay SSBN 625 616 Newport News 1961 10/23/61 11/30/62 02/20/64 11/05/90

Daniel Webster 5 SSBN 626 616 Electric Boat 1961 12/28/61 04/27/63 04/09/64 08/30/90

James Madison SSBN 627 627 Newport News 1962 03/05/62 03/15/63 07/28/64 11/20/92

Tecumseh SSBN 628 627 Electric Boat 1962 06/01/62 06/22/63 05/29/64 07/23/93

Daniel Boone SSBN 629 627 Mare Island 1962 02/06/62 06/22/63 04/23/64 02/18/94

John C. Calhoun SSBN 630 627 Newport News 1962 06/04/62 06/22/63 09/15/64 03/28/94

Ulysses S. Grant SSBN 631 627 Electric Boat 1962 08/18/62 11/02/63 07/17/64 06/12/92

Von Steuben SSBN 632 627 Newport News 1962 09/04/62 10/18/63 09/30/64 02/26/94

Casimir Pulaski SSBN 633 627 Electric Boat 1962 01/12/63 02/01/64 08/14/64 03/07/94

Stonewall Jackson SSBN 634 627 Mare Island 1962 07/04/62 11/30/63 08/26/64 02/09/95

Sam Rayburn 6 SSBN 635 627 Newport News 1962 12/03/62 12/20/63 12/02/64 07/31/89

Nathanael Greene SSBN 636 627 Portsmouth 1962 05/21/62 05/12/64 12/19/64 12/15/86

Benjamin Franklin SSBN 640 640 Electric Boat 1963 05/25/63 12/05/64 10/22/65 11/23/93

Simon Bolivar SSBN 641 640 Newport News 1963 04/17/63 08/22/64 10/29/65 02/24/95

Kamehameha SSBN 642 640 Mare Island 1963 05/02/63 01/16/65 12/10/65 04/02/02

George Bancroft SSBN 643 640 Electric Boat 1963 08/24/63 03/20/65 01/22/66 09/21/93

Lewis and Clark SSBN 644 640 Newport News 1963 07/29/63 11/21/64 12/22/65 08/01/92

James K. Polk SSBN 645 640 Electric Boat 1963 11/23/63 05/22/65 04/16/66 07/09/99

George C. Marshall SSBN 654 640 Newport News 1964 03/02/64 05/21/65 04/29/66 09/24/92

Henry L. Stimson SSBN 655 640 Electric Boat 1964 04/04/64 11/13/65 08/20/66 05/05/93

 Geo. Washington Carver SSBN 656 640 Newport News 1964 08/24/64 08/14/65 06/15/66 03/18/93

Francis Scott Key SSBN 657 640 Electric Boat 1964 12/05/64 04/23/65 12/03/66 09/02/93

Mariano G. Vallejo SSBN 658 640 Mare Island 1964 07/07/64 10/23/65 12/16/66 03/09/95

Will Rogers SSBN 659 640 Electric Boat 1964 03/20/65 07/21/66 04/01/67 04/12/93
82

Name Hull Nr. Class Builder Shpbldg

Prog. FY 

Keel 

Laid Launched Comm'd Decomm'd 

Ohio 7 SSGN 726 726 Electric Boat 1974 04/10/76 04/07/79 11/11/81 ———

Michigan 7 SSGN 727 726 Electric Boat 1975 04/04/77 04/26/80 09/11/82 ———

Florida 7 SSGN 728 726 Electric Boat 1975 01/19/81 11/14/81 06/18/83 ———

Georgia 7 SSGN 729 726 Electric Boat 1976 04/07/79 11/06/82 02/11/84 ———

Henry M. Jackson SSBN 730 726 Electric Boat 1977 01/19/81 10/15/83 10/06/84 ———

Alabama SSBN 731 726 Electric Boat 1978 08/27/81 05/19/84 05/25/85 ———

Alaska SSBN 732 726 Electric Boat 1978 03/09/83 01/12/85 01/25/86 ———

Nevada SSBN 733 726 Electric Boat 1980 08/08/83 09/14/85 08/16/86 ———

Tennessee SSBN 734 726 Electric Boat 1981 06/09/86 12/13/86 12/17/88 ———

Pennsylvania SSBN 735 726 Electric Boat 1983 03/02/87 04/23/88 09/09/89 ———

West Virginia SSBN 736 726 Electric Boat 1984 12/18/87 10/14/89 10/20/90 ———

Kentucky SSBN 737 726 Electric Boat 1985 12/18/87 08/11/90 07/13/91 ———

Maryland SSBN 738 726 Electric Boat 1986 04/22/86 08/10/91 06/13/92 ———

Nebraska SSBN 739 726 Electric Boat 1987 07/06/87 08/15/92 07/10/93 ———

Rhode Island SSBN 740 726 Electric Boat 1988 09/01/88 07/17/93 07/09/94 ———

Maine SSBN 741 726 Electric Boat 1989 07/03/90 07/16/94 07/29/95 ———

Wyoming SSBN 742 726 Electric Boat 1990 08/08/91 07/15/95 07/13/96 ———

Louisiana SSBN 743 726 Electric Boat 1991 10/23/92 07/27/96 09/06/97 ———

1

 Lost at sea 

2

 Removed from fleet service and started conversion to training platform Moored Training Ship 701 (MTS 701) in 

2015. 

3

 Removed from fleet service and started conversion to training platform Moored Training Ship 711 (MTS 711) in 

2017. 

4

 "688i" denotes "Improved LOS ANGELES class." 

5

 Removed from fleet service and converted to training platform Moored Training Ship (MTS) 626 in 1990. 

6

 Removed from fleet service and converted to training platform Moored Training Ship (MTS) 635 in 1989. 

7

 Converted to SSGN.

 

DEEP SUBMERGENCE RESEARCH VEHICLE

Name Hull Nr. Class Builder Shpbldg

Prog. FY 

Keel 

Laid Launched Delivery Inactivated 

Submarine NR-1 ——— —— Electric Boat 1965 06/10/67 01/25/69 10/27/69 11/21/08
83

U.S. Nuclear-Powered Surface Ships

NUCLEAR-POWERED AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

Name Hull Nr. Class Builder Shpbldg

Prog. FY 

Keel 

Laid Launched Comm'd Decomm'd 

Enterprise CVN 65 65 Newport News 1958 02/04/58 09/24/60 11/25/61 02/03/17

Nimitz CVN 68 68 Newport News 1967 06/22/68 05/13/72 05/03/75 ———

Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN 69 68 Newport News 1970 08/15/70 10/11/75 10/18/77 ———

Carl Vinson CVN 70 68 Newport News 1974 10/11/75 03/15/80 03/13/82 ———

Theodore Roosevelt CVN 71 68 Newport News 1980 10/31/81 10/27/84 10/25/86 ———

Abraham Lincoln CVN 72 68 Newport News 1983 11/03/84 02/13/88 11/11/89 ———

George Washington CVN 73 68 Newport News 1983 08/25/86 07/21/90 07/04/92 ———

John C. Stennis CVN 74 68 Newport News 1988 03/13/91 11/13/93 12/09/95 ———

Harry S Truman CVN 75 68 Newport News 1988 11/29/93 09/07/96 07/25/98 ———

Ronald Reagan CVN 76 68 Newport News 1995 02/12/98 03/10/01 07/12/03 ———

George H. W. Bush CVN 77 68 Newport News 2001 05/19/03 10/09/06 01/10/09 ———

Gerald R. Ford CVN 78 78 Newport News 2008 11/14/09 11/17/13 07/22/17 ———

John F. Kennedy CVN 79 78 Newport News 2013 07/20/15 ——— ——— ———

Enterprise CVN 80 78 Newport News 2019 ——— ——— ——— ———

Unnamed CVN 81 78 Newport News 2019 ——— ——— ——— ———

NUCLEAR-POWERED CRUISERS

Name Hull Nr. Class Builder Shpbldg

Prog. FY 

Keel 

Laid Launched Comm'd Decomm'd 

Long Beach CGN 09 09 Bethlehem 1957 12/02/57 07/14/59 09/09/61 05/01/95

Bainbridge CGN 25 25 Bethlehem 1959 05/15/59 04/15/61 10/06/62 09/13/96

Truxtun CGN 35 35 NY Shipbuilding 1962 06/17/63 12/19/64 05/27/67 09/11/95

California CGN 36 36 Newport News 1967 01/23/70 09/22/71 02/16/74 07/09/99

South Carolina CGN 37 36 Newport News 1968 12/01/70 07/01/72 01/25/75 07/30/99

Virginia CGN 38 38 Newport News 1970 08/19/72 12/14/74 09/11/76 11/10/94

Texas CGN 39 38 Newport News 1971 08/18/73 08/09/75 09/10/77 07/16/93

Mississippi CGN 40 38 Newport News 1972 02/22/75 07/31/76 08/05/78 07/28/97

Arkansas CGN 41 38 Newport News 1975 01/17/77 10/21/78 10/18/80 07/07/98
84 
USS WASHINGTON (SSN 787) transiting past Naval Station Norfolk.
USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) returning to homeport (Naval Air Station North Island, California)

after an 8-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, November 2003.