The USS Parche (SSN-683) is a US nuclear powered fighter submarine (SSN), the keel of which was laid in December 1970, was launched in January 1973, and entered service with the US Navy in 1974. The total length of the ship at the time of launching was 92.1 m, width 9.65 m, with a full displacement of approximately 4,300 tons. The maximum underwater speed did not exceed 25 knots. The unit had 4 533 mm torpedo tubes, and most often it was on patrol with 15 Mk.48 torpedoes, 4 Sub-Harpoon missiles and 4 Subroc missiles.
The USS Parche (SSN-683) was one of 37 Sturgeon-class submarines. This type of ships was built to replace the Tresher / Permit ships in the line. They put a lot of emphasis on the best possible silencing (especially in the gym) and the installation of the most modern electronics. Contrary to the Soviet ships, however, no attempts were made to achieve the maximum underwater speed exceeding 30 knots, assuming that the ship going at such high speed would be noisy, and therefore very easy to detect and destroy. Ultimately, a successful class of ships was created, which compared to Soviet counterparts (for example, Victor-class units) was less damaged. The USS Parche (SSN-683) was built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. In 1987-1991, the unit was rebuilt, which resulted in its extension - from 92.1 to as much as 122 meters! It has also been adapted to carry out reconnaissance and de facto espionage tasks, as well as research and development tasks related to new communication systems. The ship was decommissioned in 2004.