OVERVIEW: The SSN 685 *Glenard P. Lipscomb* is a unique submarine of the United States Navy, classified as a submarine (SSN). While its hull number suggests lineage within the *Los Angeles*-class, the *Lipscomb* possessed significant internal modifications and served primarily as a platform for advanced technology development and testing.

DETAILS:
The *Glenard P. Lipscomb*'s construction and operational history are intertwined with the US Navy's pursuit of advanced submarine propulsion systems. Originally laid down with the intention of incorporating a direct-drive turbo-electric drive system, intended to offer significant noise reduction compared to traditional geared turbine systems, the vessel served as a testbed for this technology. The *Lipscomb*'s unique propulsion arrangement ultimately proved less successful than anticipated due to technical complexities and maintenance challenges, but the lessons learned informed later submarine design efforts. This experimental nature differentiated it from the standard *Los Angeles*-class boats, limiting its operational deployments and focusing its activities on research, development, and at-sea testing of new technologies. The submarine was decommissioned in 1990 having served a relatively short, yet important, operational life.

The *Glenard P. Lipscomb* was primarily focused on evaluating the efficacy and operational suitability of its novel propulsion system and other experimental technologies. While capable of undertaking standard submarine warfare missions, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and potentially strike warfare, its primary role was technology demonstration. The vessel’s design incorporated features to reduce its acoustic signature, aligning with the US Navy's emphasis on stealth and underwater dominance during the Cold War. While less focused on frontline deployments than its *Los Angeles*-class contemporaries, the *Lipscomb* contributed significantly to the understanding of advanced submarine technologies and their potential integration into future designs.

The sensor suite aboard the *Glenard P. Lipscomb* provided a comprehensive situational awareness picture. The AN/BQS-14 active sonar and AN/BPS-14 surface search radar enabled navigation and target acquisition, while the passive sonar systems, including the AN/WLR-9A electronic support measures (ESM) suite and AN/BRD-6 direction finding equipment, facilitated covert surveillance and threat identification. The AN/TB-16 towed array sonar further enhanced the submarine’s long-range detection capabilities. Twin periscopes, one optical and the other equipped with low-light television (LLTV), supported visual observation and target identification at periscope depth. For self-defense and offensive engagements, the *Lipscomb* was equipped with two 533mm Mk67 torpedo tubes capable of launching a variety of torpedoes or other underwater ordnance. The presence of the NA-25X radar and infrared search and track system on the periscope supports surface target tracking and engagement in a shallow water environment.

SPECIFICATION: Length: 111.0 m || Beam: 9.8 m || Draft: 8.8 m || Disp: 5906 t

SENSORS: AN/WLR-9A || AN/TB-16 || AN/BQS-14 || AN/BPS-14 || NA-25X [Radar/IR] || AN/BRD-6 || Generic Submarine Periscope, Optical || Generic Submarine Periscope, LLTV

ARMAMENT: 533mm Mk67 TT || 533mm Mk67 TT || 3-inch Signal Ejector