THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR THE POLARIS SUBMARINE

Joseph F. Caligiuri

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	THE NATION'S First ballistic missile submarine, the George Washington, SSB (N) 598, was launched on 9 June 1959. The function of the George Washington is to provide a mobile platform capable fo launching ballistic missiles on or below the surface of any waters of the earth navigable by nuclear-powered submarines. To insure its security, the weapon system is self-contained, independent of its environments, and capable of operation for an extended period without exposure to the surface. Most significantly, Assistant Secretary of Defense W.J. McNeal stated at the launching of the George Washington: "...this submarine represents the first naval weapon system to be specifically designed for strategic employment against land targets, and adds an entirely new dimension to our naval power." stat(>d at the Iannc~hing of the George l17ashington: “. . this submnrinc~ rcprcsents the first naval wapon systc,m to b(l specifically designed for stratrgir cmploymctnt against land targets, and adds an entirclly iiw dimension to our n:~val poww.”
Published in:	NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Volume 7, Number 1
Pages:	3 - 10
Cite this article:	Caligiuri, Joseph F., "THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR THE POLARIS SUBMARINE", NAVIGATION: Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol. 7, No. 1, Spring 1960, pp. 3-10.
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