Ranked: 5 Best U.S. Navy Submarines of All-Time

The U.S. Navy's submarine fleet comprises various classes, each with unique capabilities. Here is what I would argue are the 5 best U.S. Navy Submarines ever. 

Meet the 5 Best U.S. Navy Submarines Ever 

-Developed during the Cold War, the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarines remain a significant part of the Navy's fleet, designed for speed and stealth to counter Soviet missile submarines.

-The Ohio-class submarines form the backbone of the Navy's nuclear deterrent, carrying Trident II missiles.

-The Seawolf-class, intended to succeed the Los Angeles-class, boasts impressive weaponry and advanced features, with the USS Jimmy Carter being particularly notable for its extended capabilities.

-The Virginia-class submarines, with 21 in commission, continue to enhance the Navy's undersea operations, particularly with the advanced Block V variants.

-Looking ahead, the Columbia-class submarines promise to set new standards in stealth and firepower, despite current manufacturing delays.

Meet the Los Angeles-Class 

Developed in the early days of the Cold War, the U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class submarines make up the bulk of the U.S. Navy’s 50 fast attack submarines in service today. The Los Angeles ships were designed to counter the Soviet’s advancing missile submarines in the late 1960s, and for this reason they were fitted with a range of measures to enhance everything from their speed to their stealth. Each ship in this series featured a vertical launch missile system.

They were designed to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles and Harpoon missiles. Although newer and more advanced submarines have been introduced by the Navy in recent years, the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine remains a highly successful platform for the service.

The Ohio-class

The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines form the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s sea-based nuclear deterrent strategy. The 14 SSBNs in this class carry roughly 50% of the country’s active strategic thermonuclear warheads. Each of these 14 submarines features 20 Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

The Navy previously converted four of these SSBNs into SSGNs following the 1994 Nuclear Posture Review, which determined the U.S. only required 14 SSBNs to deter Russia post the USSR collapse. The Ohio-class SSGNs are still incredible vessels despite their stripped designations, able to carry 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles in addition to a complement of Harpoon missiles.

The Seawolf-class

The U.S. Navy’s three Seawolf-class ships were introduced to service in the late 1990s to succeed the Los Angeles class. The service intended to field 29 of these vessels, but the collapse of the Soviet Union ultimately reduced this number down to three.

Since the Seawolf ships are larger and faster than their predecessors, they can carry an impressive weapons load. Specifically, these ships can sport up to 50 UGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles. The third ship in the series – USS Jimmy Carter – is perhaps the most advanced. Due to her extended length, USS Jimmy Carter also featured a Multi-Mission Platform section which allows Navy SEALs and remotely operated underwater vehicles to operate from it.

The Virginia-class

There are currently 21 Virginia-class submarines in commission with the U.S. Navy. The latest Block V Virginia-class variant is the most capable in the series, expected to be able to perform seabed warfare operations via a brand new Virginia Payload Module inclusion.

This additional section will also allow these variants to accommodate four new vertical launch tubes. Additionally, the Block V vessels will feature the newest Tomahawk Block V missiles.

The Columbia-class

The Navy’s incoming Columbia class is expected to blow competitors out of the water when introduced. While manufacturing delays and logistical issues appear to be pushing back this series’ entry date, the Columbia-class’s unmatched capabilities will certainly be well worth the wait.

Each submarine in this series will feature 16 missile tubes for launching Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Adversarial vessels will have a tough time detecting these submarines. In the waters, as the Columbia ships will boast cutting-edge acoustic performance according to the service.

About the Author: Maya Carlin 

Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. 

All images are Creative Commons.