Los Angeles (SSN-688)

The Los Angeles class is a large U.S. Navy nuclear-powered attack submarine family built to hunt submarines, escort carrier groups, conduct surveillance, and strike targets ashore. For decades it formed the backbone of the U.S. attack submarine force and remains one of the most important SSN classes of the late Cold War and post-Cold War periods.

Los Angeles-class submarines combine nuclear endurance, torpedo armament, sonar systems, and, on many boats, Tomahawk cruise missile capability. Their mission set spans anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence collection, special operations support, and land attack from concealed positions.

As Virginia-class submarines enter service, Los Angeles-class boats are gradually retiring, but their operational legacy remains central to U.S. undersea doctrine. They demonstrate why attack submarines are prized: they can gather intelligence, hold ships at risk, and deliver strike options while remaining difficult to detect.