Keel laid down by Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics, Groton,
CT 17JAN61;
Launched: 8MAY62; Sponsored by Mrs. John F. Kennedy;
Commissioned: 23APR63 with Cdr Patrick J. Hannifin [B], Cdr James T.
Strong [G] in command;
Decommissioned and struck from the Navy list 12AUG91;
Disposed of through SRP at PSNS 25FEB92.
The USS LAFAYETTE (SSBN-616) was lead ship in the third version of the SSBN force, following the GEORGE WASHINGTON- and ETHAN ALLEN-classes. LAFAYETTE was the first design intended for long duration deterrent missile patrols and designed only to be a missile submarine.
LAFAYETTE was the first ballistic missile submarine to operate from the base in Rota Spain and the first to conduct a deterrent patrol in the Med.
Initially deploying with the POLARIS A-2 missile, LAFAYETTE demonstrated a multiple missile firing to SecDef Robert MacNamara, allowing him to pick the missiles to be fired. After the perfect launch-to-target demonstration, twice, SecDef held a meeting in the Wardroom and cancelled the USAF SKYBOLT and other programs in competition with POLARIS.
LAFAYETTE was later converted to carry the POLARIS A-3 and POSEIDON C-3 missiles during her distinguished career.
LAFAYETTE decommissioned and was struck from the Navy List 12
August 1991 and disposed of through SRP at PSNS 25 February 1992.