History

Overview

Since its establishment in 1948, the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program has prided itself in the development of some of the best and brightest Officers the country has to offer. More than just a military force, this elite program has provided unrivaled leadership opportunities to those who excel in the areas of applied science and mathematics, teaching, and research. They have left their mark on the Navy and made a difference in the world beyond.

The achievements of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program over the past 60 years have been substantial and are only eclipsed by the camaraderie felt by all who have been a part of them. See the interactive timeline to learn more about the history, highlights and key members of the program.

1940s

Following the conclusion of World War II in 1946, the United States Congress passed the Atomic Energy Act (McMahon Act), which would determine how the federal government would control its nuclear technology. This led to the establishment of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), whose primary responsibility was to develop that technology.

On August 4, 1948, the Navy created the Nuclear Power Branch with Captain Hyman G. Rickover acting as head of the Bureau’s Research Division. Considered the “Father of the Nuclear Navy,” Rickover would be the driving force in the U.S. Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program until his retirement in 1981.

In 1949, the Nuclear Power Branch reached a contract agreement with Westinghouse to develop the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, a nuclear facility that would focus on pressurized water design.

1950s

In 1950, Captain Rickover contracted with General Electric to determine whether a liquid metal reactor design being developed at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory could be applied to Navy nuclear propulsion. From there, Rickover would establish a core technical staff made up of past Navy servicemembers as well as young nuclear engineering recruits recently out of college. This strong staff of engineers and Naval Officers would oversee every aspect of the development of nuclear propulsion for years to come.

On January 17, 1955, the first nuclear-powered submarine, USS NAUTILUS (SSN-571), was put to sea, signaling the historic message: “Underway on nuclear power.” On her test (or “shakedown”) cruise, NAUTILUS traveled 1,300 miles in 84 hours — the first time a submarine had maintained a high submerged speed for longer than one hour. The success of NAUTILUS was a stepping stone to the future success of Naval nuclear power.

In 1957, USS SEAWOLF (SSN-575) was built, tested, commissioned and put to sea. Using a liquid metal design, it was considered more technically advanced than NAUTILUS. SEAWOLF would operate at sea for the next two years, demonstrating the importance of pressurized water technology in naval applications. It became the basis for all subsequent U.S. nuclear-powered warship designs, and within a few short years, a revolution in naval warfare had been born.

1960s

On September 9, 1961, the world’s first nuclear-powered surface warship — the guided missile cruiser USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9) was commissioned. Two months later, USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) would be commissioned as the Navy’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

In 1962, NAUTILUS acted as a naval blockade on all offensive military equipment under shipment to Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Its role in this event would strongly represent the technical capability of the U.S., and its high-visibility visits to foreign ports would later demonstrate our capability in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Congress authorized the construction of the USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) in 1967. This was a significant moment because the United States then shifted toward an all-nuclear-powered aircraft carrier force. NIMITZ, one of the world’s largest warships, played a vital role for decades, most recently in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm and the Global War on Terror, among several other missions.

1970s

The 1970s proved to be a significant transition period for the Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program. Government restructuring moved the program (as well as several other federal agencies with similar responsibilities) from the AEC to what would become the Department of Energy (DOE). The primary reason for the transition into a single department was the 1973 energy crisis, in response to which President Jimmy Carter proposed creation of the department. Legislation was passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by Carter on August 4, 1977; DOE began its day-to-day operations on October 1, 1977.

In April 1979, NAUTILUS began her final voyage from Groton, Connecticut, to California. The following month, she entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard for inactivation. NAUTILUS was then converted into a historic ship and put on public display.

1980s

The Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program reached a memorable milestone on November 11, 1981, when the largest and most powerful U.S. submarine ever built, USS OHIO (SSBN-726), was commissioned. OHIO, the first ship of her class and more commonly known as the Trident submarine, continues to play an important role in today’s Submarine Force.

On January 31, 1982, Admiral Rickover retired from the U.S. Navy after more than 63 years of service to his country. As tribute, his name is memorialized in the attack submarine USS HYMAN G. RICKOVER (SSN-709), as well as Rickover Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy. He passed away on July 8, 1986, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Admiral Rickover was succeeded by Admiral Kinnaird R. McKee, who remained the Director of Navy Nuclear Propulsion until his retirement in 1988. He was relieved by Admiral Bruce DeMars, effective October 22, 1988.

1990s

August 1990 saw the beginning of the Gulf War after Iraq invaded Kuwait. This resulted in an unprecedented U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf region. Days after the Iraqi invasion, the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) represented the Navy as some of the first U.S. military assets to provide assistance. More than a dozen Navy attack submarines conducted a variety of missions before and during the conflicts. As Operation Desert Shield transitioned into Desert Storm, at least two submarines and two nuclear-powered cruisers launched cruise missiles against Iraq, and warplanes from the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) participated in the air attack on Iraq. As tensions grew throughout the Gulf region during the 1990s, aircraft carriers and submarines continued to play a major role in the U.S. military’s involvement in the Gulf War.

In 1994, the Nuclear Propulsion Program took a giant step forward, allowing the acceptance of women into the program after the repeal of the Combat Exclusion Law in the Defense Authorization Act and the Navy’s decision to open warships to women. Female Nuclear Officers and Enlisted personnel are now a vital part of the Navy nuclear community.

On October 1, 1996, acting Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Admiral DeMars retired after 43 years of service to his country. Admiral Frank L. Bowman assumed his duties and ushered the program into the new millennium.

2000s

The Global War on Terror once again showcased the importance of America’s nuclear-powered warships. Upon hearing about the deadly September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, USS ENTERPRISE executed a full rudder order to come within striking distance of Afghanistan within 11 hours. The nuclear-powered aircraft carriers USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) and USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74) quickly led battle groups to provide protection for both American coasts. The USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) and USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT aircraft-carrier groups also helped in battle, with nuclear-powered attack submarines assisting. More than 70 percent of all precision strike missions flown into Afghanistan the first few months of Operation Enduring Freedom were launched from Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, and one-third of precision missile strikes were launched from Navy submarines.

The second chapter in the War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, began on March 19, 2003, with the launching of missiles against forces led by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. By the conclusion of all major combat operations, Naval submarines accounted for nearly one-third of the missiles launched against Hussein’s army. Today, nuclear-powered warships continue to play an important part in the Navy’s involvement in the Global War on Terror.

Acting director of the Nuclear Propulsion Program Admiral Bowman retired from the Navy on January 1, 2005, after more than 38 years of service to his country. He was succeeded by Admiral Kirkland H. Donald, who continues to be program director today. A highly decorated Officer, Admiral Donald previously had shore assignments on the Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board and served on the staff of the director of Navy Nuclear Propulsion. He also served on the Joint Staff of the Bureau of Naval Personnel before assuming his current duties as director.

On June 21, 2008, the Navy unveiled its newest attack submarine – the 7,800-ton, 337-foot USS NEW HAMPSHIRE (SSN-778) – in Groton, Connecticut. NEW HAMPSHIRE is proof positive that under Admiral Donald’s control, the Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program has continued to stay at the forefront of the nuclear field, consistently delivering state-of-the-art submarines and aircraft carriers to aid in the achievement of America’s safety.