S5G
The S5G nuclear propulsion plant, installed only on the SSN-671 Narwhal, was a natural-circulation reactor intended to test the potential contribution of this technology to submarine quieting. Reactor primary coolant pumps are one of the primary sources of noise from submarines, second only to steam turbines, and the elimination of coolant pumps and associated equipment also results in the reduction of mechanical complexity and the volume required by propulsion equipment.
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/eng/s5g.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Saturday, February 27, 1999 7:56:20 AM