USS Charlotte (SSN-766)

USS Charlotte (SNN-766)

nuclear-powered attack submarine

The USS Charlotte is a Los Angeles Class Nuclear-Powered Fast Attack Submarine designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface warships. Also know as (SSN-766), she is a warship built for stealth and payload and is the twenty fourth vessel constructed of her class. Charlotte is the fourth U.S. Naval ship to be named in honor of the city Charlotte, North Carolina and the first Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine to bear the name. Powered by a S6G reactor, the USS Charlotte reaches speeds over 15 knots while surfaced and over 30 knots while submerged. Designed to carry Tomahawk Cruise Missiles and capable of launching and recovering the Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS), SSN 766 is capable of operating in a wide variety of situations and environments. Attack Submarine's are designed primarily to project power ashore and at sea, along with carrying out Special Forces Operation's, gathering intellingence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Attack Subs also support battle group operations and engage in mine warfare. The USS Charlotte will alway's be ready for the task ahead, living up to her motto "Silent Stinger". Navigating beneath the ocean, she is a silent and fast attacking Sub that can strike un-detected at any given moment.

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (Dec. 1, 2010) The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Charlotte (SSN 766) departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge/Released)

The USS Charlotte's home port is Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam which is located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. (JBPHH) was formed when two of Oahu's historical bases, Naval Station Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base merged into a single joint installation that supports both Navy and Air Force missions. Pearl Harbor is the largest Naval harbor with the primary mission to provide berthing and shore side support to surface war ships and submarines, as well as maintenance and training. Pearl Harbor can accommodate the largest ships in the fleet, and is home to over 160 commands. Pearl Harbor is the only intermediate maintenance facility for submarines in the Middle Pacific, and serves as host to a large number of visiting submariners. Pearl Harbor's port consists of 6 Destroyers, 3 Cruisers, 2 Frigates, & 15 Submarines.

History:

2005 Artic Ice Cap, North Pole

On November 29, 2005 the Los Angeles-Class Submarine USS Charlotte surfaced through a record 61 inches of ice at the North Pole. This historic journey under the Artic Ice Cap was during SSN-766's northern route from Pearl Harbor to Norfolk, Virginia.

2003 ASDS delivered to the Navy

The Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) is the first dry combat submersible designed to deliver US Navy SEALs and their combat gear clandestinely to hostile shores. Carried on the back of a nuclear submarine to the mission area, ASDS offers greater speed, endurance, depth, and stealth than current battery powered swimmer delivery vehicles.

 This sophisticated vehicle is equipped with multiple sonars, an inertial navigation system, a GPS satellite navigation receiver, and a robust communications suite. It is fitted with two hydraulically elevated masts, one that contains an optical periscope and ESM system and one with communications antennas. ASDS is piloted by a submarine qualified officer and co-piloted by a SEAL officer.

The first submarines capable of carrying the ASDS are the USS Charlotte (SSN-766) and the USS Greeneville (SSN-772). Future host submarine capability includes the SSGN and Virginia class submarines. ASDS can be carried in a C-5A or C-17 aircraft atop its specially designed tractor-trailer transport to a forward location to meet up with a host submarine.

She is a fine ship and serves her country well. NavyDads salutes the USS Charlotte and all who have served aboard her!

USS Charlotte Specifications 

 Navy Sub School Group on NavyDads