The USS Salmon (SSR/SS/AGSS-573) was a Sailfish-class submarine serving in the United States Navy from its commissioning in 1956 until decommissioning in 1977. As one of only two radar picket submarines in her class, she was among the largest conventionally powered U.S. submarines since the USS Argonaut of 1928. Her design emphasized high surface speed and advanced radar capabilities, with BPS-2 and BPS-3 radars mounted in and aft of her sail to facilitate long-range reconnaissance ahead of aircraft carrier groups. Constructed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine, Salmon was laid down on 10 March 1954 and launched on 25 February 1956, sponsored by Mrs. Albert M. Bontier. She was commissioned later that year on 26 August. Her early operational period included a shakedown cruise off Newport, Rhode Island, and subsequent transit to the West Coast, arriving in San Diego in July 1957. Salmon's service was marked by multiple Western Pacific deployments, often with the Seventh Fleet, conducting fleet exercises, special operations, and port visits across Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and other locations. She was reclassified as an attack submarine (SS-573) in 1961 and later as an auxiliary research submarine (AGSS-573) in 1968 to support deep submergence rescue vehicle programs. During her career, she underwent significant modernization, including a FRAM II conversion to a GUPPY III configuration, enhancing her sonar and missile guidance systems. Throughout her operational life, Salmon participated in Vietnam War activities, including laying mines and gathering intelligence off Vietnam, as well as engaging in antisubmarine warfare exercises. Notably, she rescued survivors from a sinking Japanese cargo ship in 1972. Her service concluded with her decommissioning on 1 October 1977, and she was sunk as a shallow water sonar target near Long Island in 1993. Salmon's extensive operational history highlights her role in Cold War maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare efforts.

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