USS Dallas (SSN 700) is the first United States Naval ship to bear the name of the city of Dallas, Texas. Dallas is a nuclear powered fast attack submarine of the Los Angeles class built by Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation. Her keel was laid on October 9, 1976. She was launched on April 28, 1979 and placed in Commission on July 18, 1981.
After commissioning, Dallas was attached to Submarine Development Squadron TWELVE, New London, Connecticut, where she was involved in many essential research and development projects. Since September 1988, Dallas has been a proud member of Submarine Squadron TWO, New London, Connecticut. During her time with Squadron TWO, she completed the first ever Depot Modernization Period and various overseas deployments.
Dallas recently completed an Engineered Refueling Overhaul (ERO) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. As a part of the overhaul Dallas was fitted with a Dry-Deck Shelter configuration. This array of air, water and hydraulic systems allows Dallas to employ the latest submarine arsenal: the Sea Delivery Vehicle. A large "shelter" mated on the back of the ship will provide special forces a highly mobile and virtually undetectable means of carrying out missions.
Dallas has completed one deployment to the Indian Ocean, three Mediterranean deployments, and seven deployments to the North Atlantic. Dallas received two Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Navy Unit Commmendations and was awarded the Battle Efficiency E for FY 1986, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1999 and 2000. Further recognition includes nomination for the 1993 BATTENBURG CUP as the best all-around ship in the fleet and, most recently, the 1999 Engineering "E" and Medical "M".
The Dallas featured prominently in the novel and film adaptation of The Hunt for Red October.
See USS Dallas for other Navy ships of the same name.
This entry is based on public domain material from the Naval Historical Center