75 YEARS – NUCLEAR REACTORS

Just seven years later, Rickover and his team put the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus (SSN 571) to sea. Three years later, on Aug. 3, 1958, Nautilus accomplished the impossible when the ship reached the geographic North Pole, 90 degrees North. Cmdr. William Anderson was in command and had a crew of 116 Sailors aboard. “Such a journey was previously unthinkable,” said Adm. Frank Caldwell, director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. “But this single event demonstrated the awesome, asymmetric advantage that nuclear power afforded our submarines and America’s national defence.

The Nautilus could go to any ocean in the world, anytime, and remain there virtually as long as desired.” Ten years after the program started, the Navy was sailing four fully operational nuclear-powered submarines and building the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise (CVN 65), with eight reactor plants. In the next two years, the first strategic ballistic missile submarine, the USS George Washington (SSBN 598) went on its first strategic deterrent patrol. Over the last 75 years, Naval Reactors has operated 273 reactors plants, taken 562 reactor cores critical including 33 different designs, and steamed more than 171 million miles with over 7,500 reactor years of safe operations.

The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and the Navy’s nuclear-powered warships have demonstrated clear superiority in defending the United States – from the Cold War to today’s unconventional threats and strategic competition – Naval Reactors ensure the American Sailor and the nuclear fleet are ready to fight and remain an effective deterrent. There is no substitute for presence and nuclear-powered aircraft carriers remain the most survivable and versatile airfields in the world, while nuclear-powered fast attack and large payload submarines hold adversaries at risk in both contested seas and open oceans.

Today, the Navy operates 99 reactors and 79 nuclear-powered warships – including the largest, most capable warship ever built, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) which is on its maiden deployment in European waters, underway on nuclear power. “It’s an exciting time in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program; we are fully embracing our responsibility to continue powering maritime dominance for the next 75 years,” said Caldwell. Thanks John B for the article.