Meet the Submarine that Legitimately Scared the Soviets
Launched on June 9th, 1959, the U.S.S. George Washington (SSBN-598) was an absolute game changer during the Cold War. She was the first nuclear-powered Ballistic Missile Submarine capable of launching missiles while still submerged.
The Evolution of Submarine Warfare
The idea of submarines being used to attack land targets was not new by 1959. During both World Wars, surfaced submarines would sometimes use their deck guns to bombard targets on shore. Interestingly enough, it was during WW2 when the first ballistic attack was conducted by a submarine. The USS Barb had a rocket launcher attached to her deck and used it on targets on Mainland Japan.
Even into the 1950s, the U.S. had submarines that could launch early cruise missiles stored in “hangers.” But they would still have to surface to launch these missiles, which obviously left them open to attack. With new long-range ballistic missiles now being fielded by both the Air Force and Army, the Navy wanted their submarines to do the same, with the added advantage of being able to launch them while submerged.
Development of the USS George Washington
It took some effort, but they were able to develop a new launching system for their missiles and incorporated it into a new submarine design: the USS George Washington. At a length of 381 ft. and powered by a S5W reactor, the George Washington was armed with 6 x 21-inch torpedo tubes and, more importantly, 16 x Polaris A1/A3 missiles.
Impact on the Cold War
Needless to say, the Soviets must not have been too happy about this. Now the United States could effectively hide their missiles underwater and have them constantly moving, making it difficult for the Soviets to track and target. Of course, the Soviet Navy (as well as every other nuclear power) would eventually develop their own Ballistic Missile Submarines. Washington herself had her missiles removed in 1981 and continued her service as a Fast Attack Submarine until being decommissioned in 1985.
~NC
