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ETHAN ALLEN CLASS SUBMARINE

The U.S. Navy's Ethan Allan-class submarines had just 1 mission: to launch the Polaris A-2 ballistic missiles against the Soviet Union, Warsaw Pact or any nation or nations that threaten the United States.

Rather than being designed as Skipjack-class attack submarines with a missile compartment added, the Ethan Allens were the first submarines designed as Fleet Ballistic Missile submarines carrying the Polaris A-2 missile. Polaris was a revolutionary weapon system. Once launched from a moving underwater platform, the two-stage, solid-fueled, nuclear-armed weapon was essentially invulnerable to counterattack. The A-2 was first launched from the USS Ethan Allen in October 1961.

The United States has had an operational SLBM force since November 1960, when the first Polaris-carrying submarine, the USS George Washington, put out to sea on patrol. This was five years after the first U.S. nuclear submarine, the Nautilus, was launched. This five-year period was needed to develop a solid missile system to launch an SLBM from a submerged submarine. The first successful underwater launch of a Polaris missile occurred in July 1960, from the George Washington. A total of five submarines were fitted with the 1200 nautical-mile-range A-1 Polaris missiles. To improve the capability of the Fleet Ballistic Missile force, the 1500 nautical-mile-range A-2 Polaris was developed.

Ethan Allen class were larger than the George Washingtons, incorporating the hull features of the Thresher/Permit class with a test depth of 1,300 feet. These 7,800-ton boats were functionally similar to the George Washingtons, but longer and more streamlined and with torpedo tubes reduced to four. In the early and mid-1970s, they were upgraded to Polaris A3s.

The Ethan Allen submarine, operating in the Pacific as part of Joint Task Force 8 in Operation Frigate-Bird, fired the only nuclear-armed Polaris missile ever launched on 6 May 1962. The Polaris A1 missile was launched while the Ethan Allen was submerged in the Pacific, and its nuclear warhead was detonated over the South Pacific. To date, because of the ban on atmospheric testing, this is the only complete proof test of a U.S. strategic missile.

The Ethan Allen class submarines were powered by steam turbines that get their energy from water-cooled nuclear reactors. With an atmospheric control system of immense capacity, the submarines did not even have to raise a snorkel to obtain air. If it were not for the needs and endurance of the human crew, these submarines could stay on station almost indefinitely. Each submarine carried a crew of 12 to 14 officers and about 130 enlisted. 

To comply with SALT II treaty limitations as the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines entered service in the early 1980s, the Ethan Allens were refitted and officially designated SSNs (fast attack submarines.) Their missile tubes were filled with concrete. Sam Houston and John Marshall were further converted to carry SEALs or other Special Operations Forces, accommodating 67 troops each with dry deck shelters to accommodate SEAL Delivery Vehicles or other equipment. The Ethan Allen-class submarines were decommissioned between 1983 and 1992.

Ethan Allen and her sister SSBNs were the product of the Cold War arms race, a 46-year competition between the United States and Soviet Union to design and build increasingly sophisticated nuclear weapons. The Ethan Allen submarines, together with the George Washington, Lafayette, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin classes comprised the "41 for Freedom" that were the Navy's main contribution to the nuclear deterrent force through the late 1980s.
 

We build this primarily wood Ethan Allen class  submarine model in three popular model scales:

25"long x 7.5" tall x 3.5" wide (1/200 scale) $1,850  Shipping and insurance in the US included. Other places: $200 flat rate. This model is in stock and can be shipped within five business days.

35" long (1/144 scale) $2,790 Shipping and insurance in the US included. Other places: $300 flat rate.

50"long (1/100 scale) $4,190 Shipping and insurance in the US included. Other places: $400 flat rate.

For different sizes, contact us for a quote.

Learn more about the Sturgeon class  submarine here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Allen-class_submarine