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Ballistic Missile SubmarinesAmerican Ohio class ballistic missile submarine |
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Ballistic Missile Submarines | American Ohio class ballistic missile submarineBallistic Missile Submarines | American Ohio class ballistic missile submarine Ballistic missile submarines are specially designed to carry and launch intercontinental nuclear-tipped missiles from vertical launching tubes. An American Ohio class ballistic missile submarine is 170.7 m (560 ft) long—much longer than an attack sub—and carries a crew of 163. These submarines form part of a country’s strategic nuclear force. Military strategists use the threat of a retaliatory submarine-launched missile attack to deter an enemy from starting a nuclear war. The strategy is simple: Even if the aggressor were able to destroy all of its enemy’s land-based missiles in a first-strike, the enemy’s ballistic missile submarines could deliver a devastating counter-blow, thus assuring what defense planners have called mutual assured destruction. Because of their mission to deter attack on their respective countries, ballistic missile submarines are designed to operate with extreme quiet in deep ocean patrol and evade detection during their patrols, which last from a few weeks to as many as 70 days at sea. Since an enemy cannot detect these subs, they pose a constant threat to a potential aggressor. The U.S. Navy also operates several smaller submarine-type underwater vessels. These are much smaller than submarines, and are used for military research, underwater rescue, and salvage operations. For information on these and other underwater vehicles, see Submersible Craft. Ballistic Missile Submarines | American Ohio class ballistic missile submarine |
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Ballistic Missile Submarines | American Ohio class ballistic missile submarine |
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