Lafayette-class submarine

The "Lafayette" class of submarine was an evolutionary development from the of fleet ballistic missile submarine, slightly larger and generally improved. This class, together with the , , , and classes, composed the "41 for Freedom," the Navy's primary contribution to the nuclear deterrent force through the late 1980s. The "James Madison" and "Benjamin Franklin" classes are combined with the "Lafayette"s in some references.
Design.
The first eight submarines initially deployed with the Polaris A-2 missile, later being refitted with the longer ranged Polaris A-3, with having the A-3 missile from the start. In the mid-1970s all were upgraded to carry the Poseidon C3 missile; their missile tubes were slightly larger than the "Ethan Allen" and "George Washington" classes and Poseidon was designed to take advantage of this. Unlike twelve of the similar "James Madison" and "Benjamin Franklin" classes, none of the "Lafayette"-class submarines were refitted with Trident I (C4) missiles.
The "Lafayette"s and their successors were equipped with a hovering system to manage trim more effectively when firing missiles; this increased the missile rate of fire from one per minute to four per minute.
"Daniel Webster" was originally built with diving planes mounted on a "mini-sail" near the bow, leading to her nickname "Old Funny Fins". This configuration, unique to US submarines, was an attempt to reduce the effect of porpoising. While successful, the "mini-sail" required to contain the operating mechanism reduced hydrodynamic efficiency and lowered her overall speed. During a mid-1970s overhaul these unusual planes were removed and standard fairwater planes were installed.
Fate.
The "Lafayette"s were decommissioned between 1986 and 1992, due to a combination of SALT II treaty limitations as the SSBNs entered service, age, and the collapse of the Soviet Union. One ("Daniel Webster") remains out of commission but converted to a Moored Training Ship (MTS-626) with the missile compartment removed. She is stationed at Nuclear Power Training Unit Charleston, South Carolina, along with .
Boats in class.
Submarines of the "Lafayette" class: