The U.S. Navy attack submarines have prowled silently beneath the world’s oceans for over four decades, driven by stealth, speed, and cutting-edge technology. They are not only technological marvels—although they are—they are also critical pillars of American maritime power that shape the balance of power beneath the sea.
The way to today’s nuclear-powered subs began with flamboyant experiments. In 1776, the hand-cranked “Turtle” made a try—though a failed one, but a pioneering one—to sail to within range of a British warship in Boston Harbor. The Navy commissioned its first official submarine, USS Holland, in 1900. Fast-forward to World War II, and American subs had destroyed over half of Japan’s merchant marine, showing just how invaluable undersea warfare had become.
The following giant step was achieved in 1954 with USS Nautilus. It was powered by nuclear energy and could remain underwater for several months. It also became the first submarine that cross under the North Pole. It put an end to surfacing more often, and global operations and long-duration missions were possible, all while keeping out of sight of enemy detection.
For the Cold War period, the U.S. attack submarines were the future of fighting against rival fleets. The Los Angeles-class (SSN 688), commissioned in the late 1970s, made up the bulk of the fleet. In 2025, there are approximately 23 operational ones. With 12 Vertical Launch System tubes for the Tomahawk cruise missile and room for 25 other weapons, they ruled anti-submarine warfare as well as surface warfare operations.
These subs did not rely on large and powerful capabilities in isolation—they grew up with capabilities. Sophisticated systems like the Mark 1 Combat Control System integrated sonar with weapons, cutting reaction time by orders of magnitude. This union of processing and precision set the stage for the Virginia-class that followed. Between the Los Angeles and Virginia fleets was the Seawolf-class. Crafted to be fast, stealthy, and armed, three were finally finished due to expense and evolving strategy. The third in the series, USS Jimmy Carter, was stretched 100 feet to be able to carry specialized equipment for missions that are largely classified.
The Virginia-class (SSN 774) is now the workhorse attack submarine of the post-Cold War era, with 23 commissioned through 2025. The attack submarine is designed with modularity and an open architecture that makes upgrades simpler. Special operations forces benefit from an easily reconfigurable torpedo room and a large lockout trunk for divers. High-definition-camera photonics masts replace traditional periscopes, offering improved flexibility and situation awareness from the control room.
Payload versatility is a specific strength. Block III replacement substituted 12 small missile tubes with two large-diameter Virginia Payload Tubes, each loaded with six Tomahawks. Future Block V ships will have a Virginia Payload Module with four additional large tubes, effectively doubling strike capacity. These upgrades will maintain the class adaptable to changing missions for many decades. Challenges persist. With fewer than 20 of the original 62 Los Angeles-class subs remaining in commission and Virginia-class construction running behind schedule, the Navy is facing a short-term undersea shortage. This comes as high-tech diesel-electric subs are proliferating across the globe.
Operationally, these submarines continue to be important. In July 2025, the Los Angeles-class USS Newport News made its first port of call in Iceland, hailed as an Arctic security milestone by Admiral Stuart B. Munsch. Commander Eric McCay commended the professionalism of the crew. After 36 years of service, Newport News has received three Arctic Service Ribbons, a testament to Cold War platforms still being able to perform in current contested environments.
Allies also have their part. Australia will be getting nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement, possibly leasing Los Angeles-class boats as a stepping stone to more modern designs. It supports Australia in developing its submarine industry while expanding U.S. underwater capabilities.
The history of American attack submarines is one of steel, reactors, and weapons, but also of individuals who drive the pace of innovation. Rear Admiral Bruce DeMars, who passed away in 2024, was an important force behind the Los Angeles, Seawolf, and Virginia programs. His uncompromising insistence on high standards and integrated design had a lasting influence on performance and safety.
In the future, the new SSN(X) won’t see the light of day until the 2040s. In the interim, maintaining the Virginia-class and maintaining other Los Angeles-class subs in high condition is the Navy’s best option. This story of accommodation, fueled by imagination, determination, and the low-key professionalism of submariners, keeps America with undersea dominance well into the decades ahead.