Poster submarine George Washington class

The George Washington Class is a class of nuclear powered submarines that launch nuclear ballistic missiles deployed by the United States Navy.

The Electric Boat builder saw himself, in a hurry, converting two hulls of existing attack submarines (Skipjack) into nuclear submarines the gear anchor in order to quickly create the underwater deterrent force.

The George Washington class submarines are primarily based on these attack submarines, with a 40m long missile compartment inserted between the ship's navigation compartment and the nuclear reactor compartment.

In total, 5 submarines will be built.

The USS George Washington (SSBN-598) is the first and seed of five George Washington-class nuclear-powered launcher submarines, named after one of the Presidents of the United States. It was launched in 1959 and carried out its first operational mission at the end of 1960 initiating the American submarine nuclear deterrent.

The George Washington carried out its patrols with Polaris A1 missiles until June 2, 1964, when they were replaced by the Evolution A3. The last member of this class, the USS Abraham Lincoln (SSBN-602) traded in its A1s for A3s on October 14, 1965.

In the early 1980s, with the limitations imposed by the SALT II agreements and the arrival of the new Ohio-class submarines, the USS George Washington, the USS Patrick Henry (SSBN-599), and the USS Robert E. Lee (SSBN-601) were reclassified as attack submarines, a function they held for several years before being decommissioned permanently in 1985.