Los Angeles Class Submarine (SSN-688) — Asbestos in the Cold War's Most Produced Attack Submarine

The Los Angeles class nuclear attack submarines — 62 boats commissioned between 1976 and 1996, hull numbers SSN-688 through SSN-773 — constituted the most-produced US nuclear submarine class and the primary attack submarine of the Cold War and post-Cold War Navy. Los Angeles class submarines conducted anti-submarine warfare patrols, intelligence collection, special operations support, and strike missions with Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles in the improved 688I configuration. The class used the General Electric S6G pressurized water reactor driving two steam turbines on a single shaft producing approximately 35,000 shaft horsepower. Los Angeles class boats commissioned in the 1976–1985 period were built during the transitional era when asbestos-containing materials were still present in some Navy submarine construction specifications, particularly for thermal insulation on secondary steam systems and in crew space construction. Later-commissioned boats progressively reduced asbestos-containing materials as Navy construction specifications were updated following the 1970s asbestos phase-out, but early-commission 688-class boats retained asbestos-containing materials in secondary steam system insulation, pipe covering, and some interior construction elements.

Nuclear Plant Secondary Systems and Transitional Asbestos

Early Los Angeles class boats incorporated asbestos in secondary steam systems:

• Secondary steam system pipe insulation — the secondary side steam systems of the S6G reactor plant in Los Angeles class submarines — steam generators, steam distribution piping, and turbine admission systems — incorporated thermal insulation on steam piping components. Early-commissioned Los Angeles class boats built in the late 1970s used insulation materials that in some applications incorporated asbestos-containing thermal insulation on secondary steam piping and components. Machinist’s Mates maintaining secondary steam systems in the confined 688-class engine room spaces worked in proximity to these insulation materials throughout engine room watch standing
• Propulsion turbine spaces — the propulsion turbines, reduction gears, and shaft system in Los Angeles class engine rooms were insulated and maintained in confined machinery spaces. Machinist’s Mates performing turbine and reduction gear maintenance in 688-class engine rooms worked in the confined engineering spaces throughout their propulsion plant maintenance duties

Submarine Piping and Valve System Asbestos

Los Angeles class submarines incorporated asbestos in hull systems:

• Hull piping system gasket and packing materials — the numerous piping systems throughout Los Angeles class hulls incorporated gasket materials in flanged connections and packing materials in valve stem stuffing boxes. Machinist’s Mates performing valve maintenance and piping system repairs in 688-class machinery spaces encountered packing and gasket materials in the submarine piping systems throughout the hull
• Sea water system and ballast system valves — hull valves, sea water induction valves, and ballast tank vent valves throughout Los Angeles class hulls used packing materials in valve stem assemblies requiring periodic replacement by Machinist’s Mates performing hull system maintenance

Crew Space Interior Construction

Early Los Angeles class boats incorporated transitional asbestos materials in crew spaces:

• Crew berthing and living space construction — Los Angeles class submarines commissioned in the 1976–1982 period were built during the transitional period when some asbestos-containing floor tile and interior construction materials were still used in Navy submarine construction specifications. Crew members serving aboard early-commission 688-class boats accumulated background asbestos exposure from the transitional-era interior construction materials in crew berthing, mess, and living spaces

VA Claims for Los Angeles Class Veterans

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Machinist’s Mates, Sonarmen, and crew members who served aboard Los Angeles class submarines — particularly early-commission boats — and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.

Source notes: equipment-manifest entries (where shown) are sourced from public-record BUSHIPS (Bureau of Ships) documentation, NARA archives, and the public asbestos litigation record. Manufacturer attributions link to documented asbestos-product histories on AsbestosIndex.com where available. Nothing on this page constitutes medical or legal advice.