USS Grayling (SSN-646) was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine built for the United States Navy, representing the fifth vessel to bear the name inspired by the grayling fish. Her construction contract was awarded on 5 September 1962, with keel laying taking place at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, on 12 May 1964. The submarine was launched on 22 June 1967, with Miss Lori Brinker as her sponsor—she was the daughter of Lieutenant Commander Robert Brinker, who commanded the previous USS Grayling (SS-209). Grayling was officially commissioned on 11 October 1969. Designed as a fast-attack submarine, Grayling's specifications included a sleek hull suited for stealth and underwater operations typical of the Sturgeon class, though specific dimensions are not detailed here. She served primarily during the Cold War era, engaging in various operational exercises and patrols. A notable event in her service was the collision off the Kola Peninsula on 20 March 1993, when Grayling collided with the Russian Novomoskovsk, a Delta IV-class ballistic missile submarine. Grayling had been tracking the Russian vessel when the collision occurred, impacting the starboard bow of Novomoskovsk; fortunately, neither submarine suffered serious damage. The incident underscored Grayling's role in tracking and surveillance during Cold War tensions. In 1995, Grayling participated in Exercise TAPON 96, a NATO exercise in the North Atlantic, involving multiple allied naval units, including U.S., Spanish, and Greek ships. She also conducted training and readiness exercises, notably heading toward Panama in August 1995. Grayling was deactivated on 1 March 1997, entering the Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, with her scrapping completed by 31 March 1998. Her legacy is preserved with her sail serving as a memorial at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and her anchor and chain displayed at The American Legion Post 106 in Grayling, Michigan. Her service history reflects her role in Cold War naval operations and maritime surveillance.

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