Sturgeon Class Submarine (SSN-637) — Asbestos in Cold War Attack Submarines

The Sturgeon class nuclear attack submarines — 37 boats commissioned between 1967 and 1975, hull numbers SSN-637 through SSN-687 — were the United States Navy’s principal Cold War anti-submarine warfare (ASW) attack submarines, designed and optimized for hunting Soviet nuclear submarines in the open ocean. Larger and quieter than the preceding Permit class, Sturgeon class submarines incorporated improved sonar systems, quieting measures, and weapons systems for ASW effectiveness. The class was armed with the Mk-48 torpedo, SUBROC anti-submarine missile, and UUM-44 SUBROC, and fitted with the BQQ-2 sonar suite providing long-range passive detection capability. Sturgeon class submarines were powered by the Westinghouse S5W or S5Wa pressurized water reactor driving steam turbines on a single shaft. The secondary steam systems, piping throughout the submarine, and crew space construction incorporated asbestos-containing materials consistent with the construction specifications of 1960s Navy nuclear submarine building. Submarine crews conducting Cold War ASW patrols in the North Atlantic and Pacific accumulated asbestos background exposure from the asbestos-containing construction materials throughout the submarine hull.

Nuclear Plant Secondary Steam System Asbestos

Sturgeon class nuclear plant steam systems incorporated asbestos:

• Secondary steam piping insulation — the secondary side steam systems of the Sturgeon class S5W/S5Wa reactor plant — steam generators, steam supply piping, and turbine admission systems — incorporated asbestos-containing thermal insulation on steam piping components. Machinist’s Mates maintaining the secondary steam systems in the confined Sturgeon class engine room spaces worked in proximity to the asbestos-containing steam system insulation materials
• Propulsion turbine casing insulation — the propulsion turbines and reduction gear in the Sturgeon class engine room incorporated asbestos-containing insulation on turbine casings. Machinist’s Mates performing propulsion plant maintenance in the engine room worked in the asbestos-insulated turbine spaces

Submarine Hull Piping System Asbestos

Sturgeon class submarines incorporated asbestos in hull piping throughout:

• Hull piping system pipe covering — piping systems throughout the Sturgeon class pressure hull — fresh water systems, salt water service systems, hydraulic systems, and trim and ballast systems — incorporated asbestos-containing pipe covering on piping runs throughout the submarine. Machinist’s Mates performing piping system maintenance, valve packing replacement, and pipe repair in Sturgeon class machinery spaces encountered asbestos pipe covering on the submarine piping throughout the hull
• Sea valve and hull stop valve packing — hull valves, sea valves, and ballast system valves throughout the Sturgeon class hull used asbestos-containing braided packing in valve stem stuffing boxes. Machinist’s Mates performing hull valve packing maintenance encountered asbestos packing materials in the Sturgeon class hull valve assemblies

Torpedo Room and Weapons System Asbestos

Sturgeon class torpedo rooms incorporated asbestos in construction:

• Torpedo room construction and piping — the torpedo room and weapons handling spaces in Sturgeon class submarines incorporated asbestos-containing construction materials and pipe covering on torpedo tube flooding and drain piping. Torpedomen working in the torpedo room accumulated background asbestos exposure from the torpedo room construction and piping insulation

VA Claims for Sturgeon Class Veterans

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure aboard Navy submarines. Machinist’s Mates, Sonarmen, Torpedomen, and crew members who served aboard Sturgeon class submarines 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.