U.S. Dismantling Sub to Comply With Pacts

The new U.S. Trident missile submarine Alaska will soon begin sea trials, and the Navy has begun dismantling an older Poseidon sub to comply with U.S.-Soviet arms agreements, according to Navy officials.

The officials, who asked not to be identified, said the Alaska, America’s seventh Trident-class strategic submarine, will soon begin trials in the Atlantic Ocean off Groton, Conn. It is to be commissioned into the fleet late this year or early in 1986.

To meet U.S. obligations under the two strategic arms limitation treaties with the Soviet Union, officials said, the Navy has begun dismantling the aging Poseidon sub Sam Rayburn at Charleston, S.C.

The dismantling is “in accordance with President Reagan’s June 10 announcement that the U.S. would not undercut the strategic arms limitation treaties,” according to the draft of a U.S. announcement that was obtained by reporters on Tuesday.