For over four decades, U.S. Navy attack subs have glided unseen across the oceans of the world, with stealth, speed, and sophisticated technology. These subs are not simply engineering feats—they’re a vital cornerstone of American naval power, influencing the balance beneath the waves.
The story of the nuclear-powered subs of today began with small, risky experiments. In 1776, the hand-cranked “Turtle” tried—and failed—to creep up on a British ship in Boston Harbor. In 1900, the Navy commissioned its first official submarine, USS Holland, and by World War II, American subs had sunk over half of Japan’s lost merchant fleet, showing just how crucial undersea warfare could be.
The real game-changer was in 1954 with USS Nautilus. Powered by a nuclear reactor, it could stay underwater for months and even became the first to traverse beneath the North Pole. This innovation no longer required submarines to pop to the surface to recharge, enabling them to operate globally and perform long-duration stealth operations.
During the Cold War period, the attack submarines of America were the cutting edge of the Soviet Fleet. The Los Angeles-class (SSN 688) began the fleet’s backbone in the late 1970s. In 2025, there are around 23 still in service. With 12 Vertical Launch System tubes for Tomahawk missiles and room for 25 other weapons, they dominated both anti-submarine and surface warfare missions.
These vessels did not stand still in capability. They were increasingly equipped with sophisticated combat systems like the Mark 1 Combat Control System, which combined sonar directly with weapons, lowering the detection-to-fire response time. This processing-power boost and aiming accuracy dictated the design philosophy for the next Virginia-class.
Between the Los Angeles and Virginia fleets was the Seawolf-class—planned for record speed, stealth, and firepower but cut to only three boats due to cost and shifting strategy. The USS Jimmy Carter, the third of the class, was extended 100 feet to transport special cargo and perform special missions that remain largely classified.
Virginia-class (SSN 774) with 23 already commissioned by 2025, is indeed the workhorse of the future. It is made to be versatile with modular construction and open architecture that is easier to enhance. Special warfare forces are augmented by their reconfigurable torpedo compartment and large lockout trunk for divers. Instead of traditional periscopes, it has photonics masts with high-resolution cameras, allowing more freedom in control room placement and increased situational awareness.
Payload flexibility is a signature of the Virginia-class. The Block III redesign replaced 12 small missile tubes with two large-diameter Virginia Payload Tubes, each capable of holding six Tomahawks. The future Block V adds a Virginia Payload Module—four additional large tubes that greatly increase strike capacity. These capabilities allow the class to evolve to changing missions for decades.
However, peril is not far behind. With fewer than 20 of the original 62 Los Angeles-class submarines left and Virginia-class construction delays putting pressure on the program, the Navy is in a short-term deficit in its undersea capacity. That’s concerning at a time when advanced diesel-electric submarines are proliferating around the world.
Operationally, these submarines remain vital to the fleet. In July 2025, the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Newport News docked at Iceland—a first for that port in history. It was welcomed as a milestone for Arctic security by Admiral Stuart B. Munsch, and Commander Eric McCay was effusive in praise of the crew’s professionalism. The Newport News, in service for 36 years, has received three Arctic Service Ribbons, showing that even Cold War platforms can perform in the contested waters of today.
Allies are also part of the calculus. Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia will be operating nuclear-powered subs with potential purchases of Los Angeles-class boats as a bridging step before converting to newer designs. This would help Australia build its submarine industry as well as help the U.S. fleet transition.
American attack submarine history is not one of steel, reactors, or weapons—it’s one of the leaders who drove advancement. Rear Admiral Bruce DeMars, who passed away in 2024, played a key role in the advancement of the Los Angeles, Seawolf, and Virginia classes. His insistence on high standards and integrated designs left a lasting impact on submarine safety and performance.
Down the line, the next-generation SSN(X) will not arrive until the 2040s, so the Navy’s best bet for now is to maintain the Virginia-class and the remaining Los Angeles-class in top-notch condition, prepared to stay ahead of the emerging dangers. This will be the test—and the legacy—of the sailors who command them. It’s an ongoing story of ongoing adaptation, driven by imagination, grit, and the low-key professionalism of those working beneath the waves.