USS Kentucky (SSBN-737)

USS Kentucky (SSBN-737)

USS Kentucky (SSBN-737)
History
United States
Namesake:	U.S. state of Kentucky
Ordered:	13 August 1985
Builder:	General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut
Laid down:	18 December 1987
Launched:	11 August 1990
Sponsored by:	Carolyn Pennebaker Hopkins
Commissioned:	13 July 1991
Homeport:	Bangor, Washington
Motto:	Thoroughbred Of The Fleet
Honors and awards:	Gold Crew: Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award First Place 2001 Gold Crew: Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award First Place 2002 Battle Efficiency Award (Battle "E") 2006,2009 Gold Crew: Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award Honorable Mention 2007
Status:	in active service
Badge:
General characteristics
Class and type:	Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine
Displacement:	16,764 metric tons (16,499 long tons) surfaced 18,750 metric tons (18,450 long tons) submerged
Length:	560 ft (170 m)
Beam:	42 ft (13 m)
Draft:	38 ft (12 m)
Propulsion:	1 × S8G PWR nuclear reactor 2 × geared turbines 1 × 325 hp (242 kW) auxiliary motor 1 × shaft @ 60,000 shp (45,000 kW)
Speed:	Greater than 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Test depth:	Greater than 800 feet (240 m)
Complement:	15 officers 140 enlisted
Armament:	MK-48 torpedoes 24 × Trident II D-5 ballistic missiles

USS Kentucky (SSBN-737), is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine which has been in commission since 1991. She is the third U.S. Navy ship to be named for Kentucky, the 15th state. The Kentucky has never been detected by a foreign ship or submarine.

The contract to build Kentucky was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, on 13 August 1985 and her keel was laid down there on 18 December 1987. She was launched on 11 August 1990, sponsored by Carolyn Pennebaker Hopkins, who used a custom blend of Kentucky bourbon whiskey, mixed for the occasion, rather than the traditional bottle of champagne to christen Kentucky. Kentucky was commissioned on 13 July 1991, with Captain Michael G. Riegel commanding the Blue Crew and Captain Joseph Henry commanding the Gold Crew.

On 19 March 1998 south of Long Island, New York, Kentucky collided with the attack submarine USS San Juan (SSN-751) while the two submarines were conducting a joint training drill prior to deployment. One of Kentucky's stern planes was slightly damaged; San Juan's forward ballast tank was breached, but San Juan was able to surface and return to port. No personnel suffered any injuries. Kentucky returned to patrol the next day.

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