Skipjack-class submarine

The Skipjack class was a group of United States Navy nuclear submarines (SSNs) that entered service between 1959 and 1961. Named after the lead boat, USS Skipjack, this class introduced the teardrop hull and the S5W reactor to U.S. nuclear submarines. The Skipjacks were known for their high speed and served as the fastest U.S. nuclear-powered submarines until the Los Angeles-class entered service in 1974. The design of the Skipjacks was influenced by the USS Albacore and the Barbel class, featuring a streamlined hull optimized for underwater speed. A single screw replaced the traditional twin screws, reducing drag but sparking debate within the Navy. The subs were constructed using HY-80 steel, similar to other contemporary classes. Their internal layout combined several compartments into one space, a design feature carried forward in later submarines. The Skipjacks had five primary compartments and were modified for missile operations, with some boats converted into ballistic missile submarines, such as USS George Washington. The class also featured sail planes and an exhaust piping design that influenced subsequent submarine classes. The S5W reactor became a cornerstone of U.S. naval propulsion, used extensively in later submarines and even adopted by the British Navy. In service, the Skipjacks operated during the Vietnam War and Cold War. Most were decommissioned in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with the exception of USS Scorpion, which sank southwest of the Azores in 1968, claiming all 99 crew members. Notable boats in the class included two unique submarines: USS Triton (SSRN-586) and ...