Suppressed for more than forty years, over the globe, the ocean’s deep, U.S. Navy stealthy and prompt attack submarines have been blending stealth, speed, and high technology. The vessels might be the wonders of mechanics – far from a simple machine – but they are the backbone of American sea power, reshaping the marine equilibrium with the undersea in a way that very few people will ever notice. The path to contemporary nuclear submarines was filled with daring, sometimes even dangerous, trials. In 1776, the hand-operated “Turtle” attempted to creep into a British ship in Boston Harbor; however, it was a failure. By the year 1900, the U.S. Navy commissioned its very first legitimate submarine, the USS Holland. And during World War II, American submarines proved their efficiency by sinking more than half of Japan’s merchant marine, thus affirming the strategic value of undersea warfare
Actually, the real change was made in the year 1954, with the launch of USS Nautilus. It could remain underwater for months at a time since it was powered by a nuclear reactor, and it was also the first submarine to go under the North Pole. Thanks to nuclear propulsion, submarines were no longer required to come up for air to recharge their batteries, which consequently made it possible to have extended and stealthy operations anywhere in the world.
During the Cold War, American attack submarines were always at the forefront, opposing the Soviet fleet. The Los Angeles-class (SSN 688), which was first introduced in the late 1970s, became the Navy’s undersea force’s backbone. Around 23 such boats were still operational as of 2025. Fired from the 12 Vertical Launch System tubes for Tomahawk missiles, and with space for 25 other weapons, they have proven their versatility and dominance in anti-submarine and surface warfare missions.
Such submarines didn’t remain the same over the years. Changes were made, and they were also fitted with advanced combat systems such as the Mark 1 Combat Control System that allowed the linking of sonar directly to weapons; thus, the time from detection to firing was greatly shortened. These improvements made it possible to build a new generation of submarines: the Virginia-class.
Between the Los Angeles and Virginia fleets, there was the Seawolf-class, designed with the sole purpose of achieving extreme speed, stealth, and firepower. Only three were produced because of the high costs and changes in strategic priorities. The third boat, USS Jimmy Carter, which was lengthened by 100 feet to make it possible for the installation of special equipment and highly secretive missions, signifying the Navy’s changes to versatility and its increased focus on it.
By 2025, 23 Virginia-class (SSN 774) submarines had been commissioned, thereby making it the Navy’s most flexible platform. Upgrading has never been easier due to modular construction and open architecture design. Special operations forces are now able to use the torpedo compartment that can be modified according to their needs, and also the large lockout trunk for divers. The conventional periscope has been replaced with photonics masts that have high-resolution cameras, thus giving the crews more flexible control room layouts and better situational awareness.
One of the features that defines the Virginia-class is payload flexibility. The redesign of Block III got rid of 12 small missile tubes and instead put in two big-diameter Virginia Payload Tubes, each capable of six Tomahawks. The upcoming Block V adds a Virginia Payload Module that has four more big tubes; therefore, the strike capability is enormously increased. With these changes, the class can still be used for the next few decades.
Still, there are some issues. For instance, there are fewer than 20 of the original 62 Los Angeles-class submarines that are still in service, and late Virginia-class constructions have led to the Navy facing a short-term gap in undersea capacity, which is a serious problem, especially with the rapid emergence of advanced diesel-electric submarines all over the world.
Despite all that, these submarines show their operational value from time to time. In July 2025, the Los Angeles-class USS Newport News arrived in Iceland for the first time, which is a major landmark for Arctic security. Admiral Stuart B. Munsch highlighted its strategic importance, whereas Commander Eric McCay admired the enthusiasm of the crew. Newport News has been in service for 36 years and has gotten three Arctic Service Ribbons, which is proof that even the boats from the Cold War era are still powerful in the waters that are contested in modern times.
Moreover, allies are also in the picture. As per the AUKUS agreement, Australia is likely to have nuclear-powered submarines and may at first get Los Angeles-class boats as a transition before moving on to more recent designs. This not only helps within the submarine industry in Australia but also promotes the U.S. fleet’s modernization process. The history of American attack submarines is really a story about leadership. Rear Admiral Bruce DeMars, who exited in 2024, was a key figure who made the Los Angeles, Seawolf, and Virginia promoted classes. His constant demand for team-integrated designs and high standards of quality has rubbed off positively on the safety and operational performance of submarines by a huge margin.
In the future, the next-generation SSN(X) will not come till the 2040s. So for the time being, it is the Navy’s job to keep the Virginia-class as well as the remaining Los Angeles-class submarines in the best condition. This is a perpetual cycle of innovation, endurance, and the silent professional conduct of those who serve beneath the waves – a history of modification that still guards America’s interests all around the world.