Ballistic missile submarine

Encyclopedia : B : BA : BAL : Ballistic missile submarine

The Redoutable, a French SNLE (now a museum)

A ballistic missile submarine is a submarine equipped to launch ballistic missiles (SLBMs), such as the Russian SS-N-18 or the American Trident.

Although some early models had to surface to launch their missiles, modern vessels typically launch while submerged at depths usually less than 50 meters (164 feet). Ballistic missile submarines differ from attack submarines and cruise missile submarines; while attack submarines specialize in combat with other naval vessels (including enemy submarines and merchant shipping), and cruise missile submarines are designed to attack large warships and tactical targets on land, the primary mission of the ballistic missile is nuclear deterrence. Accordingly, the mission profile of a ballistic missile submarine concentrates on remaining undetected, rather than aggressively pursuing other vessels.

SSBN is the United States Navy's hull classification symbol for a fleet ballistic nuclear missile submarine. The SS denotes a (ship) submarine, the B denotes ballistic missile capability, and the N denotes nuclear power. In American naval slang, ballistic missile submarines are referred to as "boomers."

The French Navy strategic nuclear submarines are labeled "SNLE", for Sous-marin Nucléaire Lanceur d'Engins ("Device-Launching Nuclear Submarine").

Many navies use two crews per boat to maximize patrol time. In the U.S. Navy, the two crews are called blue crew and gold crew. In the Royal Navy, the two crews are called port crew and starboard crew. The French Navy uses blue and red for its crews.

Contents

1 SSBN classes (in service)
2 SSBN classes (retired)
3 SSBN classes (under construction)
4 SSB classes (mostly retired)
5 Trivia
6 See also

SSBN classes (in service)

SSBN classes (retired)

SSBN classes (under construction)

SSB classes (mostly retired)

SSB means diesel-propelled ballistic missile submarine, e.g. the Soviet Union Golf class. The People's Republic of China built a single modified example in 1966 which is apparently still in service.

Trivia