3/C SUBMARINES AND UNDERSEA WARFARE
Learning Objectives
1. Explain how the following enduring characteristics of the submarine – stealth, endurance, firepower, and
mobility - enable it to perform its many missions
2. Briefly describe the following submarine major missions:
A. Peacetime Engagement
B. Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR)
C. Naval Special Warfare (NSW)
D. Strike
E. Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW)
F. Deterrence
3. Differentiate between SSN/SSGN/SSGN missions.
4. Identify key capabilities – missile and torpedo tube configurations, lock in/lock out chambers, design
characteristics, and additional equipment - that enable the following platforms to perform their missions:
A. SSN
i. Los Angeles Class
ii. Seawolf Class
iii. Virginia Class
B. SSGN
C. SSBN
5. Explain the advantages of nuclear powered submarines as compared to conventionally powered submarines.
I. Submarine Major Missions
i
The enduring characteristics of the submarine - stealth, endurance, firepower and mobility - enable the U.S. Navy
Submarine Force to successfully complete its major missions. These characteristics work together to make U.S.
submarines some of the deadliest weapons in the United States’ arsenal.
Stealth. Unlike other vessels in the U.S. Navy Fleet, submarines enjoy the ability to conduct missions
without anyone knowing of their presence. Stealth allows submarines to enter an area, conduct a mission,
and leave the area without the enemy never knowing a submarine was there. Stealth is also a useful
deterrent – the enemy knows a submarine could be close by.
Endurance. All U.S. submarines are nuclear powered, make their own air, water, propulsion, and
electricity without requiring refueling for decades. Submarines only need to come near the surface of the
water to communicate. Endurance allows submarines to operate for as long as required, typically only
limited by how much food they can carry.
Firepower. U.S. submarines have the ability to carry an impressive number of missiles, torpedoes, and
ammunition to inflict catastrophic damage to our nation’s enemies.
Mobility. Submarines can operate nearly anywhere in the world there is water, including under ice. The
ability to operate virtually anywhere combined with submarines’ high-speed result in submarines being
able to respond quickly to any situation required.
Peacetime Engagement
Supporting the U.S. Defense agenda of flexible forward presence through the spectrum of activities such as
deployments, combined exercises and operations, port visits, and military-to-military relations.
