US Pres. Trump Orders Nuclear Submarines Closer to Russia Amid Tensions: An Overview of the US Navy’s Submarine Fleet
The U.S. President has announced plans to position two nuclear-powered submarines closer to Russia, in response to recent escalating tensions. In a statement on a social media platform, he expressed the need for preparation, stating, “I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned strategically, should these provocative remarks prove more than mere rhetoric.”
The President did not disclose specific details about the submarine types or their exact locations. Typically, the Pentagon maintains confidentiality regarding the movements of its submarine fleet.
The U.S. Navy operates three distinct classes of nuclear-powered submarines. While all are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, only one class—the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs)—is designed for this purpose.
Known as “boomers,” these SSBNs are built for stealth and precision in delivering nuclear warheads. Each boat can carry up to 20 Trident ballistic missiles, equipped with multiple warheads. With a range of approximately 4,600 miles, they could potentially strike Russia from various oceanic locations, including the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, or Arctic oceans, without needing to approach closer.
SSBNs serve as potent nuclear deterrents due to their ability to survive an adversary’s initial attack. Information about their movements is among the Navy’s most guarded secrets. Measuring 560 feet in length and displacing nearly 19,000 tons submerged, these subs house a crew of 159 and can reach speeds of up to 23 miles per hour.
During the 1990s, the Pentagon determined that fewer Ohio-class SSBNs were required for nuclear deterrence, leading to four of them being converted into guided-missile submarines (SSGNs). Similar in overall specifications to boomers, these SSGNs carry Tomahawk cruise missiles instead of Trident ballistic missiles. Each can accommodate 154 Tomahawks with a high-explosive warhead weighing up to 1,000 pounds and boasting an approximate range of 1,000 miles.
The SSGNs are also capable of clandestinely deploying troops through lockout chambers in former ballistic-missile tubes. While the movements of these submarines remain classified, the Navy has occasionally acknowledged their presence near military hotspots as a show of deterrence.
The majority of the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet consists of hunter-killer subs designed to locate and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships with torpedoes. These subs can also strike land-based targets using Tomahawk missiles, albeit in smaller numbers than SSGNs.
Fast-attack submarines come in three varieties: the Virginia, Los Angeles, and Seawolf classes. The Virginia class is the most recent, with 23 commissioned as of July 1, according to Navy records. These subs range from 377 to 461 feet in length, depending on configuration, displace up to 10,200 tons, and have a crew of 145.
The Los Angeles class is the oldest of the Navy’s fast-attack submarines, with 23 still operational. These subs measure 360 feet in length, displace 6,900 tons, and accommodate a crew of 143.
Lastly, the Seawolf class is the smallest in the U.S. fleet. The USS Seawolf and USS Connecticut, both measuring 353 feet and displacing 9,100 tons, are more aligned with standard attack boats, armed with torpedoes and cruise missiles.
The third Seawolf-class submarine, the USS Jimmy Carter, is one of the most specialized craft in the Navy. Its hull has been extended by 100 feet, providing additional space for advanced technology and enhanced warfighting capabilities.