United States Navy Ships - Submarines

Submarines

There are two major types of submarines, ballistic and attack. Ballistic submarines have the single strategic mission of nuclear deterrence by being hidden launching-platforms for nuclear ICBMs. Attack submarines have tactical missions, including controlling naval and shipping activity, serving as cruise missile-launching platforms, and intelligence-gathering.

• Los Angeles class (42 in commission) – attack submarines
• Seawolf class (3 in commission) – attack submarines
• Virginia class (8 in commission, 2 under construction, 12 ordered, 8 more planned) — attack submarines
• Ohio class (18 in commission) – 14 ballistic missile submarines, 4 guided missile submarines