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

The Sturgeon class nuclear attack submarines — 37 boats commissioned between 1967 and 1975, designated SSN-637 through SSN-687 — were the most numerous class of American nuclear attack submarines built during the Cold War, serving as the primary hunter-killer submarine force throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Built at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut, Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in New Hampshire, and Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California, the Sturgeon class used a single S5W or S5G pressurized water reactor providing steam to a single-shaft geared steam turbine arrangement. The Sturgeon class incorporated a deeper diving depth, improved quieting, and enhanced ASW sensor suite compared to the preceding Permit class. Sturgeon class submarines incorporated asbestos-containing steam system pipe insulation and interior construction materials in the submarine pressure hull consistent with the late 1960s and early 1970s construction period, creating background asbestos exposure for crew members serving aboard Sturgeon class submarines throughout the Cold War service period.

Sturgeon Class Nuclear Steam Plant Asbestos

Sturgeon class submarines incorporated asbestos in their nuclear steam propulsion systems:

• Secondary steam system pipe insulation — the secondary steam loop piping carrying high-pressure steam from the steam generators to the main propulsion turbine and ship’s service turbine generators aboard Sturgeon class submarines incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation on the secondary steam system piping throughout the engine room. Engineering ratings working in Sturgeon class engine rooms during reactor plant operation accumulated background asbestos exposure from the secondary steam system pipe insulation in the propulsion plant
• Main propulsion turbine steam systems — the steam supply headers, stop valves, and steam distribution piping serving the Sturgeon class main propulsion turbines incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation and equipment insulation consistent with the submarine steam plant construction of the late 1960s. Machinist’s Mates performing main propulsion turbine maintenance aboard Sturgeon class submarines worked in proximity to the steam system pipe insulation during turbine maintenance operations
• Ship’s service turbine generator steam supply — the ship’s service turbine generators providing ship’s service electrical power aboard Sturgeon class submarines were served by steam supply piping and valve arrangements incorporating asbestos-containing pipe insulation. EM(N) and MM(N) ratings maintaining ship’s service turbine generators in Sturgeon class engine rooms accumulated background asbestos exposure from the SSTG steam supply piping insulation

Sturgeon Class Interior Construction Asbestos

Sturgeon class submarines incorporated late 1960s interior construction materials:

• Submarine pressure hull interior construction — the interior construction of Sturgeon class submarines’ torpedo rooms, crew berthing spaces, wardroom, and engineering spaces incorporated asbestos-containing pipe insulation, insulation board, and interior construction materials consistent with the late 1960s and early 1970s submarine construction specifications. Crew members serving aboard Sturgeon class submarines lived and worked in the submarine’s asbestos-containing interior construction throughout their Sturgeon class assignments
• Engine room and machinery space construction — the engine room and auxiliary machinery spaces of Sturgeon class submarines incorporated asbestos-containing overhead insulation, bulkhead insulation, and equipment mounting materials in the engineering space construction. Engineering ratings standing watch in Sturgeon class engine rooms accumulated background asbestos exposure from the engineering space construction throughout their engineering watch assignments

VA Claims for Sturgeon Class Veterans

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