attack submarine

attack submarine
Unit name	Attack submarine
Caption	The Virginia-class attack submarine USS ''Virginia''
Type	Submarine
Role	Anti-submarine warfare, land attack, intelligence gathering, special operations support
Equipment	Torpedoes, cruise missiles, naval mines

attack submarine. An attack submarine is a submarine specifically designed for the primary mission of hunting and destroying other submarines, surface warships, and merchant vessels. These vessels are a central component of modern blue-water and brown-water naval forces, operating independently or as part of a carrier strike group. Their roles have expanded to include land attack with cruise missiles, intelligence gathering, and supporting special operations forces.

Definition and role

The primary role is anti-submarine warfare, seeking out and engaging enemy ballistic missile submarines and other attack submarines to protect fleet assets and sea lanes. They also conduct anti-surface warfare against vessels like those of the Russian Navy or People's Liberation Army Navy. Modern vessels, such as those operated by the United States Navy, have significant land attack capabilities using weapons like the Tomahawk cruise missile. Covert missions include deploying Navy SEALs from the Dry deck shelter, conducting signals intelligence off coasts like North Korea, and mining strategic chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz.

Design and characteristics

Modern designs prioritize stealth, with hull forms like the teardrop hull used on the Skipjack-class submarine and advanced anechoic tile coatings to reduce sonar signature. Propulsion is typically nuclear, using a pressurized water reactor like the S6G reactor on Los Angeles-class boats, providing virtually unlimited endurance. Key design features include the sail, diving planes, and a propeller or pump-jet for quiet operation. Internal systems feature a sonar suite in a large bow dome, periscopes like the AN/BVS-1 Photonics Mast, and extensive life support systems for long patrols.

History and development

The concept evolved from World War II fleet submarines like the American Gato-class submarine, which performed similar roles. The German Type XXI submarine introduced advanced hydrodynamic designs. The Cold War drive for anti-submarine capability led to the first purpose-built nuclear-powered attack submarine, the USS Nautilus (SSN-571), and the specialized USS Albacore (AGSS-569) for hull design. The Rubis-class submarine became French Navy's first nuclear attack boat. Later innovations included the Seawolf-class submarine, designed to counter advanced Soviet boats like the Akula-class submarine, and the more affordable Virginia-class submarine.

Armament and sensors

Primary weapons are torpedoes, such as the Mark 48 torpedo, launched from torpedo tubes. Since the Gulf War, vertical launching system tubes for Tomahawk land-attack missiles have become standard, as seen on the Improved Los Angeles-class submarine. Some classes can deploy naval mines and Unmanned underwater vehicles. The sensor suite is dominated by sonar, including the large AN/BQQ-10 bow array, AN/BQG-5 wide aperture arrays on the Virginia class, and towed arrays like the TB-29. Electronic support measures and periscope-based imaging systems provide surface and electronic intelligence.

Operational use

During the Cold War, American Sturgeon-class submarines and Soviet Victor-class submarines engaged in intense cat-and-mouse games in the GIUK gap. In the Falklands War, the HMS Conqueror (S48) sank the ARA General Belgrano. In the Global War on Terrorism, Los Angeles-class submarines launched Tomahawk strikes against targets in Afghanistan and Iraq. Peacetime operations include shadowing adversary fleets, as practiced by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force around the Senkaku Islands, and conducting Freedom of navigation operations in areas like the South China Sea.

Classes and examples

Notable nuclear-powered classes include the U.S. Los Angeles, Seawolf, and Virginia-class submarine; the Russian Sierra and Yasen-class submarine; the British Astute-class submarine; and the French Suffren-class submarine. Diesel-electric or air-independent propulsion boats remain potent for many navies, such as the German Type 212 submarine, the Swedish Gotland-class submarine, and the Chinese Type 039A submarine. Historic examples include the revolutionary USS Albacore (AGSS-569) and the USS Nautilus (SSN-571), which ushered in the nuclear age.

Category:Submarines Category:Naval warfare Category:Military vehicles