USS Dallas (SSN-700)

	Career
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Awarded:	31 October 1973
Laid down:	9 October 1976
Launched:	28 April 1979
Commissioned:	18 July 1981
Fate:	Active, in commission
Homeport:	Groton, Connecticut
General Characteristics
Displacement:	5768 tons light, 6143 tons full, 375 tons dead
Length:	110.3 meters (362 feet)
Beam:	10 meters (33 feet)
Draft:	9.4 meters (31 feet)
Propulsion:	one S6G reactor
Complement:	12 officers, 98 men

USS Dallas (SSN-700), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Dallas, Texas. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 31 October 1973 and her keel was laid down on 9 October 1976. She was launched on 28 April 1979 sponsored by Mrs. William P. Clements, Jr., and commissioned on 18 July 1981, with Captain Donald R. Ferrier in command.

After commissioning, Dallas was attached to Submarine Development Squadron TWELVE, New London, Connecticut, where she was involved in many research and development projects. Since September 1988, Dallas has been a member of Submarine Squadron TWO, New London, Connecticut. During her time with Squadron TWO, she completed the first ever Depot Modernization Period and various overseas deployments.

Dallas recently completed an Engineered Refueling Overhaul (ERO) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. As a part of the overhaul Dallas was fitted with a Dry-Deck Shelter configuration. This array of air, water and hydraulic systems allows Dallas to employ the latest submarine arsenal: the Sea Delivery Vehicle. A large "shelter" mated on the back of the ship provides special forces a highly mobile and virtually undetectable means of carrying out missions.

Dallas has completed one deployment to the Indian Ocean, three Mediterranean Sea deployments, and seven deployments to the North Atlantic. Dallas received two Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Navy Unit Commmendations and was awarded the Battle Efficiency E for FY 1986, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1999 and 2000. Further recognition includes nomination for the 1993 Battenburg Cup as the best all-around ship in the fleet and the 1999 Engineering "E" and Medical "M".

On 27 August 1981 Dallas damaged her lower rudder when she ran aground while approaching the Atlantic Underwater Test and Evaluation Center site at Andros Island, Bahamas. The submarine worked herself free after several hours and returned on the surface to New London, Connecticut, for repairs.

Dallas featured prominently in the novel and film adaptation of The Hunt for Red October.

See USS Dallas for other Navy ships of the same name.

References

This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register and various press releases.