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| Navy Fact File | |
Ballistic Missile
Submarines - SSBN
SSBNs are designed to attack enemy cities and military bases ashore. They carry long-range missiles that can strike targets from about 1,500 to 4,000 miles (2,400 to 6,400 kilometers) away.
Description: Nuclear-powered submarines armed with long-range strategic missiles.
Background: Strategic deterrence has been the sole mission of the fleet ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) since its inception in 1960. The SSBN provides the nation's most survivable and enduring nuclear strike capability. The Ohio class submarine replaced aging fleet ballistic missile submarines built in the 1960s and is far more capable.
Ohio-class/Trident ballistic missile submarines provide the sea-based "leg" of the triad of U.S. strategic offensive forces. By the turn of the century, the 18 Trident SSBNs (each carrying 24 missiles), will carry 50 percent of the total U.S. strategic warheads. Although the missiles have no pre-set targets when the submarine goes on patrol, the SSBNs are capable of rapidly targeting their missiles should the need arise, using secure and constant at-sea communications links.
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Features: Ballistic missile submarines are larger than attack submarines, measuring from about 380 to 560 feet (115 to 171 meters) long. Their crews number about 150 men. Missiles are fired from silos (launching tubes) in the submarine's hull. The missiles can carry multiple bombs that can hit several targets at once. Ballistic missile submarines also carry torpedoes for defense. |
Description: Attack submarine, designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships.
Background: The concept of technical superiority over numerical superiority was and still is the driving force in American submarine development. A number of Third World countries are acquiring modern state-of-the-art non-nuclear submarines. Countering this threat is the primary mission of U.S. nuclear attack submarines are designed to search out and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships. They also are used to attack targets on land and gather information about enemy vessels.
Most attack submarines in the United States Navy range in length from about 290 to 360 feet (88 to 110 meters). They have about 130 crew members. Most of these submarines have nuclear-powered engines and carry torpedoes and guided missiles. Attack submarines track and find their underwater targets with sonar (for sound navigation and ranging) equipment, which detects sounds underwater. They use periscopes and radar equipment to identify enemy ships on the surface.
Modern U.S. attack submarines fire their torpedoes from four tubes located along the sides of the hull. Torpedoes have homing devices that follow the target and guide the torpedo to it (see TORPEDO). Older submarines had their torpedo tubes in the bow. But in modern submarines, the sonar is located in the bow--far away from the noise of the ship's propeller.
Some submarines can also fire antisubmarine missiles from the torpedo tubes. These short-range weapons have a torpedo or a nuclear warhead that can destroy submerged submarines from as far away as 30 miles (48 kilometers). Other submarines can attack surface ships and onshore targets with cruise missiles, which have short wings that open after launching. Cruise missiles can be directed to avoid enemy defenses
FRIGATE, pronounced FRIHG iht, is a warship used chiefly to escort amphibious and merchant ships. Frigates are used for patrol duty as well. These ships can launch rockets and torpedoes against submarines. Some frigates have guided missiles for use against aircraft and surface ships. Some larger frigates can carry one or two antisubmarine helicopters. Frigates are equipped with radar and sonar to detect enemy aircraft, surface ships, and submarines.
Most frigates of the United States Navy belong to the Knox and Oliver Hazard Perry classes. The Knox type is used mostly for antisubmarine warfare. Knox frigates measure 438 feet (131 meters) long, and steam turbines propel them at speeds of more than 27 knots (nautical miles per hour). In addition to their antisubmarine weapons, these frigates have a 5-inch (127-millimeter) gun and short-range missiles for use against enemy planes. Each Knox class frigate also carries a helicopter.
Frigates of the Oliver Hazard Perry class, launched since 1976, can fire missiles against ships and aircraft. They also carry a 3-inch (76-millimeter) gun, torpedoes, and a helicopter. These ships are 445 feet (133 1/2 meters) long, and gas turbines propel them at over 28 knots.
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In 1794, frigates became the first warships authorized by the United States Congress. The frigate Constitution, nicknamed Old Ironsides, ranks as one of the nation's most famous ships. It is docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston (see CONSTITUTION [Ship]). |
Project 941 (Akula) - Typhoon ClassCompartments: 19Reactor: Two pressurized water reactors, model OK-650, with VV type reactor cores generating 190 MWt with a shaft power of 2x50 000 hp.All of the Typhoon class submarines belong to the Northern Fleet. Nuclear Weapons: 20 ballistic missiles, type RSM-52 (SS-N-20). |
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Northern Flt |
Pacific Flt |
Ttl |
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In service |
6 |
0 |
6 |
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Inactive |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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Dismantled |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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Number |
6 |
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Length: |
175 m |
Displacement: |
24 500/33 800 |
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Beam: |
22.8 m |
Hull: |
Low magnetic steel |
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Draught: |
11.5 m |
Crew: |
170 |
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Speed: |
27 knots |
Maximum Depth: |
400 m |
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The P3C Orion is a Lockheed four-engine propeller aircraft used as a submarine hunter and for surface surveillance. The P-3C is a land-based, long range anti-submarine warfare (ASW) patrol aircraft. It has advanced submarine detection sensors such as directional frequency and ranging (DIFAR) sonobuoys and magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) equipment. The avionics system is integrated by a general purpose digital computer that supports all of the tactical displays, monitors and automatically launches ordnance and provides flight information to the pilots. In addition, the system coordinates navigation information and accepts sensor data inputs for tactical display and storage. The P-3C can carry a mixed payload of weapons internally and on wing pylons. |
| The mission of the Bear F is the detection and destruction of submarines. |  |
Torpedoes: Mark 46, Mark 48, Mark 50
| Description: Self-propelled guided projectile that operates underwater and is designed to detonate on contact or in proximity to a target. |
The MK-48 is designed to combat fast, deep-diving nuclear submarines and high performance surface ships. It is carried by all Navy submarines. The improved version, MK-48 ADCAP, is carried by attack submarines, the Ohio class ballistic missile submarines. The MK-48 has been operational in the U.S. Navy since 1972. MK-48 ADCAP became operational in 1988 and was approved for full production in 1989. |
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| Features: Torpedoes may be launched from submarines, surface ships, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. They are also used as parts of other weapons; the Mark 46 torpedo becomes the warhead section of the ASROC (Anti-Submarine ROCket) and the Captor mine uses a submerged sensor platform that releases a torpedo when a hostile contact is detected. The three major torpedoes in the Navy inventory are the Mark 48 heavyweight torpedo, the Mark 46 lightweight and the Mark 50 advanced lightweight. |
General Characteristics, MK-48, MK-48 (ADCAP)
Range: Greater than 5 miles (8 km)
Depth: Greater than 1,200 ft (365.76 meters)
Speed: Greater than 28 knots (32.2 mph, 51.52 kph)
Guidance System: Wire guided and passive/active acoustic homing
Warhead: 650 lbs (292.5 kg) high explosive
