Los Angeles class submarine questions

[Guest]

Hi. Could someone explain why some Los Angeles class submarines have large 'wings' extending from the sides of the conning tower (sail), which i assume are some type of dive plane, while others do not? It appears that it is the boats that were built earlier that do have them.

Also, does anyone know where i can find a list of the 12 Los Angeles class submarines that participated in Iraqi Freedom?

Thanks for any help given!

[JWLaRue]

The first set of Los

The first set of Los Angeles-class subs, also known as Flight 1 boats, do indeed have sail planes. Same for the Flight 2 boats. The Flight 3 boats were modified to allow for under ice operations, which resulted in the saill planes being moved to the bow and the top of the sail being reinforced to allow polar surfacing.

-Jeff