Nuclear power and other technical
advances allowed submarines to undertake three especially important new
missions during the Cold War: nuclear deterrence, anti-submarine warfare,
and special operations.
To deter nuclear war, fleet ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) deep
under the oceans remained largely undetectable and ever ready to retaliate
with long-range nuclear missiles against any would-be aggressor.
America's fast attack submarines (SSNs) stalked enemy missile submarines,
readyupon authorizationto destroy them at the first sign of missile
launching. They also provided screens for American aircraft carrier task
groups. In crisis situations, fast attacks could be quickly deployed,
or "surged," to monitor Soviet activities.
The third new Cold War mission required SSNs, sometimes specifically modified,
to support such special operations as reconnaissance or the observation
and recording of foreign missile tests, ship movements, and other military
activities.
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/ Nuclear Submarines at Work
Copyright © 2000, The
National Museum of American History
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Nuclear power and other
technical advances allowed submarines to undertake three especially important
new missions during the Cold War: nuclear deterrence, anti-submarine warfare,
and special operations.
To deter nuclear war, fleet ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) deep
under the oceans remained largely undetectable and ever ready to retaliate
with long-range nuclear missiles against any would-be aggressor.
America's fast attack submarines (SSNs) stalked enemy missile submarines,
readyupon authorizationto destroy them at the first sign of missile
launching. They also provided screens for American aircraft carrier task
groups. In crisis situations, fast attacks could be quickly deployed,
or "surged," to monitor Soviet activities.
The third new Cold War mission required SSNs, sometimes specifically modified,
to support such special operations as reconnaissance or the observation
and recording of foreign missile tests, ship movements, and other military
activities.
The third new Cold War mission required SSNs, sometimes specifically modified,
to support such special operations as reconnaissance or the observation
and recording of foreign missile tests, ship movements, and other military
activities.
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