Uss Narwhal (ssn 671)

• Namesake: USS Narwhal (SSN-671) was named after the narwhal, a medium-sized Arctic whale known for its long, spiral tusk. • Unique Design: Narwhal featured an experimental natural circulation S5G nuclear reactor, which allowed for much quieter operation than standard submarines. • Construction: The submarine was laid down on January 17, 1966, at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. • Commissioning: USS Narwhal was commissioned on July 12, 1969, with Commander John A. Oles serving as her first commanding officer. • Stealth Operations: Thanks to her quiet reactor and machinery, Narwhal was often used for special operations, intelligence gathering, and testing advanced sonar and detection systems. • Long Hull: At 314 feet, Narwhal was one of the longest attack submarines of her time, providing extra space for her unique machinery. • Arctic Missions: Narwhal participated in under-ice operations and surfaced at the North Pole, demonstrating the U.S. Navy’s ability to operate in polar regions. • Decommissioning: She was decommissioned on July 1, 1999, after 30 years of service, making her one of the longest-serving submarines of her class. • Notable Crew: Several future admirals and submarine squadron commanders served aboard Narwhal early in their careers. • Legacy: The S5G reactor design and lessons learned from Narwhal's quieting measures greatly influenced the development of later submarine classes, including the Seawolf and Virginia classes.