Ballistic missile submarine
|
The Redoutable, a French SNLE (now a museum) |
A
ballistic missile submarine is a
submarine equipped to launch
ballistic missiles (
SLBMs), such as the Russian
SS-N-18 or the American
Trident.
Although some early models had to surface to launch their missiles, modern vessels typically launch while submerged at depths usually less than 50 meters (164 feet). Ballistic missile submarines differ from attack submarines and cruise missile submarines; while attack submarines specialize in combat with other naval vessels (including enemy submarines and merchant shipping), and cruise missile submarines are designed to attack large warships and tactical targets on land, the primary mission of the ballistic missile is nuclear deterrence. Accordingly, the mission profile of a ballistic missile submarine concentrates on remaining undetected, rather than aggressively pursuing other vessels.
SSBN is the
United States Navy's
hull classification symbol for a fleet ballistic nuclear missile submarine. The
SS denotes a
(ship) submarine, the
B denotes
ballistic missile capability, and the
N denotes
nuclear power. In American naval slang, ballistic missile submarines are referred to as "boomers."
The
French Navy strategic nuclear submarines are labeled "
SNLE", for
Sous-marin Nucléaire Lanceur d'Engins ("Device-Launching Nuclear Submarine").
Many navies use two crews per boat to maximize patrol time. In the U.S. Navy, the two crews are called
blue crew and
gold crew. In the
Royal Navy, the two crews are called
port crew and
starboard crew. The French Navy uses
blue and
red for its crews.
*
France **
Le Triomphant class*
Russian Federation **
Typhoon class**
Delta III and IV classes*
United States**
Ohio class*
United Kingdom **
Vanguard class*
People's Republic of China**
Xia class submarine**
Type 094 submarine*France
**
Redoutable class*United Kingdom
**
Resolution class*United States
**
George Washington class**
Ethan Allen class**
Lafayette class**
James Madison class**
Benjamin Franklin class*
Russian Federation **
Borei classSSB means
diesel-propelled ballistic missile submarine, e.g. the
Soviet Union Golf class. The People's Republic of China built a single modified example in
1966 which is apparently still in service.
*In American naval slang, submarines are the only vessels referred to as "boats", whereas surface vessels are colloquially referred to as "ships".
*
SSN - attack submarine
*
SSGN - cruise missile submarine
*
SLBM - submarine launched ballistic missile
