Displacement: 365 to 393
tons
Length: 145'
Propulsion: Turbo-
electric drive, two
propellers, plus
fore and
aft maneuvering
thrusters.
Reactor: Single
pressurized-
water reactor
Speed: 3.5
knots submerged
Maximum Operating
Depth: 3,000'
Brief Description: in 1964
Admiral Rickover conceived the idea of a
nuclear-powered
research submersible. The
United States Navy considered the idea worth pursuing, and in 1969 the NR-1 was launched into service. As far as is know, there has never been another NR-1 built.
The Navy kept her
classified, and denied the existence of the NR-1, and when she was spotted, they reported
erroneous information to the involved parties. This was done to hide some of the special features, the
fixed mast with
television camera (used as a
periscope), and the forward and aft tires (used to
traverse the
ocean floor), and the specially designed moveable arms.
She is still in service, and is used by the Navy primarily for underwater
exploration, and
special operations missions. She is expected to be in service until approximately 2010 or later.
Resources: United States Navy Declassified Files/
Naval Records.
A lot of information on this vessel is still classified.