10-2017 USS ALABAMA

USS Alabama (SSBN-731) is an American nuclear powered ship carrying ballistic missiles (SSBN). The keel for this unit was laid in 1980, the launch took place in May 1984, and the entry into service with the US Navy took place in May 1985. The ship is 170 m long, 13 m wide, and has an underwater displacement of 18,750 tons. The maximum underwater speed is approximately 25 knots. The main armament of the ship are 24 ballistic missile launchers. USS Alabama (SSBN-731) is one of the Ohio-class ships. Ships of this type were developed as a completely new structure, using the experience gained during the operation of ships of such classes as, for example, Lafayette or James Madison, but also intended to replace the so-called the "41 for Freedom" series. Compared to their predecessors, the Ohio-class ships are much larger in terms of both length and displacement. They could, and many of them still can, carry 24 ballistic missiles, compared to only 16 of these weapons on their predecessors. The new ships were also equipped with advanced sonar devices with similar properties to those installed on Los Angeles-class ships. One of the ships of this series - USS Alabama - was built at the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton. It went on its first combat patrol in May 1986. Two years later, the unit successfully conducted a trial firing of Trident I (C-4) missiles. In the period 1986-1999, the unit carried out 47 patrols, and in 1999 it was modernized and renovated. In 2005, it was rearmed with the Trident II (D-5) missiles. USS Alabama (SSBN-731) remains in active service.