USS Houston (SSN-713)

The USS Houston (SSN-713) is a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine of the United States Navy. She is the second ship of the Navy to be named after the city of Houston, Texas.

Her keel was laid down on January 29, 1982, at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. She was launched on March 21, 1987, sponsored by Barbara Bush, wife of then-Vice President George H.W. Bush, and commissioned on September 25, 1987.

The USS Houston (SSN-713) is equipped with the Mark 48 advanced capability (ADCAP) torpedo, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, launched from her four torpedo tubes. She is designed for a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, strike warfare, intelligence gathering, and surveillance.

Throughout her service, USS Houston participated in numerous deployments and exercises around the world. She earned various awards and commendations for her performance.

The USS Houston was decommissioned on [Date - Needs Actual Date]. Prior to decommissioning, she underwent a decommissioning process, including defueling her nuclear reactor. After decommissioning, the submarine will be disposed of through the Navy's Ship-Submarine Recycling Program.

The USS Houston (SSN-713) represents a significant part of the U.S. Navy's Cold War and post-Cold War submarine force.