USS LAFAYETTE
(SSBN-616)


dp. 7325 tons (surf.), 8251 tons (subm.); l. 425'; b. 33';
s. 16k (surf.), 21k (subm.); td. 1300'; a. 16 missile tubes, 4-21" tt. fwd.;
cpl. 14 officers - 126 enlisted men (each in 2 crews); cl. "LAFAYETTE"

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.


Compiled by SUBNET from "UNITED STATES NAVAL SUBMARINE FORCE INFORMATION BOOK" -- J Christley;
and material supplied by J. Peters.