Fidelity, Industry and Courage – The USS Von Steuben SSBN 632

Thirty years is a long time for a ship to remain active.

The Von Steuben is an excellent example of a submarine that was built to last and flexible enough to transition through a number of weapons systems as technology improved. She represented a system in flux. The earlier missiles which were pushed into production with range limits were being replaced systematically by the newer classes. These new weapons had more firepower on board and a range that allowed them to operate in larger and larger areas. The Soviets had to increase their fleet size and scope just to keep up with the challenges.

The on board equipment and habitability continued to improve also. Most people don’t realize the complexity of the support equipment. Everything form the guidance systems to the way the air is treated become critical to the mission.

My job on board the boat when I wasn’t…