USS Norfolk (SSN-714) is a Los Angeles-class attack submarine of the United States Navy, representing the third vessel to bear the name honoring Norfolk, Virginia. Constructed by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, the contract was awarded on 20 February 1976, with the keel laid down on 1 August 1979. The submarine was launched on 31 October 1981, with Mrs. Caspar Weinberger serving as the sponsor, and was officially commissioned on 21 May 1983. Designed as a fast, stealthy attack submarine, USS Norfolk participated in various operational trials and experiments. Notably, she conducted extensive testing of the next-generation ADCAP torpedo, including firing the first operational ADCAP on 23 July 1988, which successfully sank the ex-USS Jonas Ingram. The vessel also engaged in advanced acoustic experiments, contributing to the development of submarine stealth and weaponry. Throughout her service, USS Norfolk was active in both training and deployment missions, including a notable deployment during the waning days of the Soviet Navy's activity. Her operational history includes a collision incident on 17 January 1989, when she struck the port side of the combat stores ship USS San Diego in the Thimble Shoals channel. Both vessels sustained damage but there were no injuries. The collision resulted in the relief of Norfolk’s commanding officer and prompted new operational restrictions in the Hampton Roads channels. In 2004, USS Norfolk completed a significant 22-month Engineering Refueling Overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, extending her operational life. She remained in service until her decommissioning on 11 December 2014 at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Currently, the vessel is in the process of being defueled, marking the end of her active service in the U.S. Navy.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.