Top 5 most advanced nuclear submarines in the world, US contributes 2

Nuclear submarines are the latest cutting-edge technology that powers global military forces. Only nine countries in the world have developed nuclear weapons. Of these, only six will use nuclear technology for submarines by 2023 – the United States, China, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, and India.

Nuclear submarines are technologically superior to conventionally powered vessels in many ways. A nuclear submarine can stay underwater for months, allowing for extended reconnaissance or pre-attack planning missions that other submersibles cannot.

Estimates suggest that nuclear submarines can stay underwater for 20 years without resupplying their crews, making them an invaluable tool in global maritime operations.

These vessels can reach higher speeds than conventional submarines, adding to their utility in any potential conflict. However, nuclear submarines are generally noisier than other submersibles due to the constant operation of their reactors.

They are also larger and less maneuverable than conventional vessels, so navies that operate nuclear submarines will continue to deploy non-nuclear alternatives to maintain combat readiness in a variety of special circumstances.

Nuclear submarines are truly engineering marvels, but some are a cut above the rest. These are the most impressive and advanced nuclear submarines in use today.

Russian Borei-A class submarine

In 2022, the Russian Navy sent a new Borei-A class submarine to the White Sea to begin factory trials. The Generalissimus Suvorov is a fourth-generation nuclear-powered submarine and was commissioned into service with the Russian Pacific Fleet in late 2022. It is the third Borei-A class submarine to be delivered to the Russian Navy, following the Knyaz Vladimir in 2020 and the Knyaz Oleg in 2021.

According to updated information from Naval News, earlier this year, Russia launched the strategic ballistic missile submarine “Knyaz Pozharskiy”, the 5th of the Borei-A class built for the Navy of the “Land of White Birch”.

Russia's Borei-A-class nuclear submarine Generalissimus Suvorov. Photo: TASS/USNI News

The Borei-A class is an improvement over the earlier Borei class design, including enhanced stealth (through quieter operation) and deep-sea maneuverability. As part of Russia's nuclear triad, these vessels are typically armed with 16 intercontinental ballistic missiles (SLBMs) ​​and 553mm torpedoes, and carry missiles armed with nuclear warheads instead of traditional explosive shells.

The Borei-A class submarine's SLBMs are capable of striking targets at a distance of 6,200 miles (nearly 10,000 km), and the vessels are also equipped with around eight multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), which can facilitate the launch of multiple warheads at once – with each warhead focused on independent targets.

US Virginia-class submarines

The Virginia-class fast attack submarine is one of the newest vessels in the US Navy’s arsenal. There are currently 21 Virginia-class submarines in service. These attack submarines are nuclear-powered, and the first in the series, named “Virginia,” was commissioned in 2004.

These submarines are expected to replace the current Los Angeles-class submarines that are being retired and new operations are planned in the coming years. The distinct advantage of the Virginia-class submarines is demonstrated when they perform interdiction and surveillance operations conducted in high-risk sea lanes.

US Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine. Photo: Military.com

Virginia-class submarines are equipped with Tomahawk missiles and MK48 ADCAP torpedoes. They can reach speeds in excess of 25 knots (46.3 km/h) and are particularly adept at conducting operations in shallow waters.

A unique feature of these submarines is the reconfigurable torpedo room. This space can act as a staging and deployment area for special operations teams on long deployments with a special area that allows divers to enter and exit the submarine without having to surface.

British Vanguard-class submarines

The UK launched HMS Vanguard in 1993, and in the years since, four Vanguard-class submarines have served as the Royal Navy's primary undersea patrol vessels. The Vanguard-class submarines are powered by nuclear reactors and provide ballistic missile attack options. They are part of the UK's primary nuclear deterrent and are therefore equipped with nuclear warheads.

Royal Navy Vanguard-class nuclear submarine. Photo: Seaforces

The Vanguard-class submarines carry 16 Trident II D5 missiles with up to 12 MIRV warheads (for a total of 192 individual nuclear warheads). They operate four torpedo tubes and carry Spearfish torpedoes for underwater or surface combat. The submarines can reach speeds of around 25 knots (46.3 km/h), which is competitive with other nuclear submarines that traverse the depths of the Earth's oceans.

While the Vanguard-class submarines are a vital part of the UK’s defence backbone, the newest of the four was commissioned in 1999, 25 years ago. The British government is pursuing new submarine technology and intends to replace the four Vanguard-class vessels with the new Dreadnought class in the 2030s.

French Barracuda-class submarine

The French Navy’s first Barracuda-class attack submarine will be launched in 2022. The “Suffren” is the first of six to be commissioned in the coming years, and can dive to depths of less than 350 meters for missions lasting 70 days. The vessel is small compared to others in its class (99 meters long) and is packed with technology that helps the crew stay quiet underwater and attack when necessary.

French Barracuda-class nuclear submarine. Photo: Seaforces

The ship is equipped with torpedo-launched cruise missiles, wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and mines. The ship is also equipped to support special operations teams, with dry-deck shelters facilitating the deployment of combat swimmers and submersibles.

The Barracuda class submarines will replace France’s Le Triomphant class. Many of the weapons systems are similar to the previous generation. With a greater operational range, a 60-day mission endurance, and a fleet of only four boats, the Barracuda class is a much-improved asset for France’s intelligence gathering, deterrence, and forward strike capabilities.

US Ohio-class submarine

The Ohio-class submarine is a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines of the United States Navy, consisting of 14 submarines equipped with intercontinental ballistic missiles and 4 submarines carrying cruise missiles. Displacing 18,750 tons submerged, the Ohio-class submarines are the largest submarines ever built for the Navy of the "land of the flag".

US Ohio-class intercontinental ballistic missile submarine. Photo: Military.com

Part of America’s nuclear triad, Ohio-class submarines are designed to be extremely quiet, nuclear-armed and designed to survive to carry out their mission at all costs. They typically patrol on deployments lasting 70 days, but can stay underwater for as long as needed.

These boats can reach speeds in excess of 30 knots (55.6 km/h) and carry up to 154 Tomahawk missiles, as well as Trident II D-5 nuclear weapons with an estimated range of 6,500 nautical miles (12,038 km) and up to 12 warheads per missile. These submarines also have powerful underwater capabilities with Mk48 torpedoes and four torpedo tubes to attack surface ships and other submerged vessels.

This led Popular Mechanics to call the Ohio-class submarine “the most destructive weapon on the planet . ”

Minh Duc (According to SlashGear, Popular Mechanics, Naval News)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/top-5-tau-ngam-hat-nhan-tien-tien-nhat-the-gioi-my-gop-2-chiec-a661261.html