Skipjack class submarine
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The Skipjack class of United States Navy nuclear attack submarine was the replacement for the Skate class. A new design from the keel up, they were the first submarines to use a nuclear reactor in an Albacore hull: a round hull with a single shaft. Placement of the bow planes on the sail greatly reduced flow noise at the bow-mounted sonar. Deep-diving and high speed capabilities were the result of HY-80 construction and the new S5W reactor.
The Skipjacks were the fastest submarines in the United States Navy until the Los Angeles class was launched.
General characteristics
- Displacement: 3070 tons surfaced, 3513 tons submerged
- Length: ~80 m (252 ft)
- Beam: ~10 m (31 ft)
- Speed: 27.75 km/h surfaced (15 knots), 53.65 km/h submerged (29 knots)
- Test Depth: 700 ft
- Power Plant: one nuclear reactor, two steam turbines, one shaft