USS Hartford (SSN-768)

The USS Hartford (SSN-768) is a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine in the United States Navy. She is the second U.S. Navy vessel to be named after Hartford, Connecticut.

Hartford was built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut, and commissioned on 20 March 1994. She is assigned to Submarine Squadron Four and homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut.

Like other Los Angeles-class submarines, Hartford is designed for a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, strike warfare, intelligence gathering, and special operations support. The submarine is equipped with the Mark 48 advanced capability (ADCAP) torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles, launched from her torpedo tubes or vertical launch system (VLS) tubes (on later Los Angeles-class submarines, including Hartford).

Hartford has participated in numerous deployments and exercises throughout her service life. In March 2003, she participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, launching Tomahawk cruise missiles.

In October 2003, Hartford ran aground in La Maddalena, Sardinia, causing damage to her rudder and other hull components. Repairs were conducted at Naval Submarine Base New London.

On 20 March 2009, Hartford collided with the amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans (LPD-18) in the Strait of Hormuz. The collision resulted in a breach of Hartford's fuel tank, but the nuclear reactor was not damaged. Both vessels proceeded to port under their own power. Hartford subsequently underwent extensive repairs at the Bahrain shipyard before returning to service.

The USS Hartford continues to serve in the U.S. Navy fleet, undergoing periodic maintenance and upgrades to ensure her operational readiness.