The USS Alexandria’s emergence showcases the platform’s role in deterring U.S. adversaries.
The U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson arrived in Seoul over the weekend, angering Pyongyang officials still reeling over the emergence of an American nuclear submarine in Busan last month. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been ramping up, requiring a strong show of allyship between Washington and Seoul. The presence of top-tier American naval vessels in the region is meant to deter hostile behavior by Pyongyang, which has carried out several missile tests. According to state-run media, the launches ordered by the leader of the Hermit Kingdom, Kim Jong Un, were designed to inform “the enemies, who are seriously violating our security environment and fostering and escalating the confrontation environment,” of Pyongyang’s military counterattack capability and the readiness of its nuclear operations. The docking of the nuclear-powered USS Alexandria in Busan last month should serve as a reminder to the North Korean regime of America’s ability to project power on the peninsula.
An overview of the Los Angeles submarine class
Designed during the U.S.-USSR arms race of the Cold War, the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarines were designed to directly counter the Soviet’s advancing naval fleet. During the early days of the Cold War, the Soviets developed sophisticated submarine technology that threatened American carrier battle groups, emphasizing the U.S. Navy’s need for advanced warships. The Los Angeles-class ships were designed to fulfill this requirement. Based on its Sturgeon-class predecessors, the Los Angeles submarines host similar capabilities. However, the newer class was 50 percent larger than the Sturgeon ships and featured additional enhancements in stealth technology and overall speed so that they could keep up better with the Soviets’ fast-attack submarines.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the Los Angeles-class ships are capable of traveling at speeds in excess of 25 knots. Some analysts predict the top speed of these vessels is actually much higher; however, this remains classified. The General Electric S6G pressurized water reactor powers each Los Angeles-class submarine. An emergency propulsion motor is also incorporated into the vessels. Over the years, several upgrades were incorporated into the Los Angeles submarines in order for the warships to retain an edge over their counterparts. The last twenty-three vessels in the series are designated as “Improved 688s.” As detailed by Military.com, these submarines are quieter, incorporate an advanced combat system, and are configured for under-ice operations—their diving planes were moved from the sail to the bow and sail strengthened for breaking through ice. The I688s also have twelve vertical launch tubes for Tomahawk Cruise Missiles.
Introduced USS Alexandria
USS Alexandria, commissioned in 1990, has had an extensive service history. In the early 2000s, it deployed to the southwest coast of India to participate in maritime patrol exercises with the Indian Navy, followed by joining the U.S.-U.K. Ice Exercise in 2007 in the Arctic Ocean. The emergence of USS Alexandria in Busan last month showcases the platform’s continued role in deterring U.S. adversaries like Pyongyang from aggression.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
