41 for Freedom Submarines
![Model of submarine George Washington with side panel removed to show interior compartments and ballistic missiles Model of submarine George Washington with side panel removed to show interior compartments and ballistic missiles](/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/cold-war/strategic-deterrence/41-for-freedom/_jcr_content/body/media_asset/image.img.jpg/1614887686307.jpg)
Model showing the interior of the first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine George Washington (SSBN-598).
From 1959 to 1967, the Navy commissioned 41 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), each capable of carrying 16 Polaris missiles. Known as the 41 for Freedom submarines, these vessels comprised five classes of submarines: the Washington-class, the Ethan Allen-class, the Lafayette-class, the James Madison-class, and the Benjamin Franklin-class.
Published: Thu Mar 04 17:38:58 EST 2021