louisiana2000

The ICBM changed world history. Being able to launch missiles from submerged submarines re-wrote the texts on warfare. Nuclear powered submarines could remain underwater, almost invisible o the enemy and launch nuclear missiles at targets thousands of miles away. The East and West faced off underwater, on the alert, waiting for the dreaded command to launch. Beginning with the Polaris missile the United States Navy saw a progression of giant submarines, armed with up to 24 missiles, on station offshore, guarding, ready to respond to the Nation’s call. Technology demanded constant development of the warships and missiles to where the Trident -armed SSBN became the Navy’s state of the art missile submarine. Today’s revised field of battle now demands conventionally armed cruise missiles and the ability t deliver SEALs by stealth for covert actions. The USS Louisiana is the last of the class of ISBN armed submarines. To her credit and that of her class, she has done her job well. She has never fired a shot in anger.

Home ported in Bangor, Washington the Louisiana is 560 feet long (almost the size of a WW II destroyer) and displaces 18,750 tons. She is armed with 24 Trident missiles and 4 torpedo tubes. She can attack her land targets and defend herself and attack surface and undersea targets. She stands ready until relieved. Well done, Louisiana.