USS Greeneville (SSN-772) is an American submarine of the upgraded Los Angeles class (also known as the Improved Los Angeles or 688i). Submarines of this class are nuclear-powered attack submarines (ANN), with capabilities similar to SSBNs. Submarines of this type were built between 1985 and 1996. A total of 23 Type 688i were built. The Los Angeles class is 110 meters long, 10 meters wide, and has a displacement of approximately 7,050 tons. The maximum submerged speed is approximately 32 knots.
The Improved Los Angeles class is a far-reaching development of the "entry-level" Los Angeles class. The new class of ships, although outwardly very similar to the previous one, differs in several very important elements. First of all, it is even better soundproofed and - as a first of its kind in the US Navy - received an anechoic coating. It also has a depth control moved from the conning tower to the bow of the ship to be able to operate in ice conditions. The units, in addition to traditional torpedo tubes, also have vertical Tomahawk missile launchers. The propulsion system has also been improved, which increased their tactical speed (from 6 knots to approximately 8-12 knots). USS Greeneville (SSN-772) of this class was built in Newport News, Virginia, from 1992 to 1994, and entered service in 1996. During her service, the ship was involved in several incidents and collisions, the most famous of which occurred in February 2001, when the surfaced USS Greeneville rammed and sank the Japanese training ship Ehime Maru, killing nine crew members. USS Greeneville remains in active service.
