Function: Benjamin Franklin class Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine converted for special operations support.





History: Commissioned on December 10, 1965 as the second of the Benjamin Franklin class Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN) the USS Kamehameha served as an SSBN through 1992, conducting a total of 63 deterrent patrols. Following her withdrawl from the SSBN fleet, Kamehameha was extensivly modified to support Navy special operations missions. To create additional living space the entire ballistic missile section was removed and turned into living quarters where embarked special operations personnel could rest, train, plan operations, and maintain their equipment in relative comfort (especially when compared to the cramped quarters associated with the much smaller Sturgeon and Los Angeles class Fast Attack Submarines.) In addition, Kamehameha was modified to accommodate two Dry Deck Shelters (DDS) as well as 2 SEAL Delivery Vehicles. With the decommissioning of her sister ship, the USS James K Polk (SSN645) in 1999, the Kamehameha remains the only converted SSBN in active service.





General Characteristics, Benjamin Franklin Class



Builders:

Mare Island Naval Shipyard





Power Plant:

One S5W nuclear reactor, two steam turbines, one shaft, 15,000 shaft horse power





Date Deployed:

December 12, 1965 (USS Kamehameha)





Length, Overall:

425 feet (129.6 meters)







Beam:

33 feet (10.06 meters)





Draft:

28.8 feet





Displacement:

8,250 tons submerged





Speed:

25 knots submerged





Crew:

140



Armament:

Mk 48 ADCAP Torpedoes, launched from four 533mm torpedo tubes



Harpoon anti-ship missiles (tube launched)



Tomahawk anti-ship/ land attack missiles (launched from a 12 tube Vertical Launch System (VLS) )





Sonar:

1 AN/BQR-15 passive towed sonar array



1 AN/BQR-19 active sonar array



1 AN/BQR-7 passive sonar array











Ships:

USS Kamehameha (SSN-642), Pearl Harbor, HI