USS Charlotte (SSN-766)

USS Charlotte (SSN-766), a Los Angeles-class submarine, is the fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named for Charlotte, North Carolina. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 6 February 1987 and her keel was laid down on 17 August 1990. She was launched on 3 October 1992 sponsored by Mrs. Mary McComack, and commissioned on 16 September 1994, with Commander Michael Matthews in command. The current commanding officer is Commander Richard Young.

History
On 29 November 2005, Charlotte arrived in Norfolk, Virginia, having taken the northern route from Pearl Harbor, under the Arctic ice cap. Along the way, she surfaced at the North Pole through 61 inches of ice, a record for a Los Angeles-class submarine.

On 24 October 2007, Charlotte returned to Pearl Harbor from Norfolk Naval Shipyard after nearly two years in a Depot Modernization Period.

Charlotte in Fiction
In Tom Clancy's book Debt of Honor, USS Charlotte is sunk by the Japanese sub Harushio along with her sister ship USS Asheville (SSN-758).

USS Charlotte also makes an appearance in Dan Brown's novel Deception Point, where it plays an important role making covert missions in the Arctic Circle.