The stealthy and deadly attack submarine- every seaman's worst nightmare since World
War I.
These are the weapons navies fear the most, and despite investing billions of dollars
into locating, tracking, and targeting these underwater assassins, the navies of the world
are still largely at the mercy of these silent killers.
Hello and welcome to another episode of The Infographics Show- today we're taking a look
at the top ten underwater killers in Top Ten Attack Submarines in the World.
10.
Oscar II Class – Russia
Originally entering service in 1986, the Oscar II class are still Russia's most capable submarines.
Designed to counter the threat of US carrier battle groups, Oscar IIs were the pinnacle
of modern Soviet engineering, and the surviving boats have received numerous upgrades.
Out of a planned 19 subs, only 11 were ever completed due to cost and the collapse of
the Soviet Union.
Armed with 24 P-700 Granit supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, these subs were a huge threat
to surface vessels.
A recent upgrade to one of the remaining Oscar IIs of P-800 Oniks missiles also gives them
the ability to target coastal installations and are even more lethal versus surface vessels.
To destroy enemy submarines, Oscar II subs are equipped with two 650 mm and four 533
mm torpedo tubes that can fire both torpedos and anti-ship missiles.
Further equipment includes nuclear warheads and nuclear depth charges against surface
ships or submarines.
Unfortunately Oscar IIs are fairly noisy boats, and must lay in wait for a target to get near
them before launching a surprise attack for fear of detection.
Also, most of Russia's remaining Oscar IIs are nearing the end of their service life
and will soon be retired, with no replacement planned for Russia's submarine fleet.
9.
Ohio Class – USA
First entering service in 1981 as a nuclear ballistic missile submarine, the US's Ohio
class has seen a number of its boats converted for anti-ship and land-attack roles by replacing
its nuclear armaments with Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Though still the US Navy's only nuclear ballistic missile submarine and over 30 years old, the
Ohio remains a formidable threat that can silently loiter in remote areas of the world
or near US shores while remaining in range of its assigned nuclear targets thanks to
its Trident II D5 nuclear missile's exceptional range.
This makes an Ohio class submarine virtually impossible to defend from, and the most survivable
part of the US's nuclear triad.
After the fall of the Soviet Union and several nuclear arms reduction treaties though, four
of the Ohio class's 18 boats have been refitted with cruise missiles, and pack 154 Tomahawk
cruise missiles- or as much firepower as an entire surface battle group!
The US's new generation of ballistic missile submarines, the Columbia class, is currently
under development and will enter service in 2031.
8.
Soryu Class – Japan
Not typically known for their endurance, the Soryu Class is a diesel-powered submarine
with an air-independent propulsion system that allows it to operate submerged for weeks
rather than days as a traditional diesel-powered sub.
Because nuclear submarines need coolant to be constantly pumped through their reactors
which generates noise, diesel-powered submarines can be far stealthier by running on diesel
at the surface long enough to fully charge their on board batteries and then diving to
operate for days on battery power alone.
Japan's Soryu class uses a Swedish-designed air-independent propulsion system however
that allows it to operate its diesel engines even while fully submerged, greatly increasing
its endurance.
Though smaller than most other attack submarines at only 285 feet (84 meters) in length, Japan's
Soryu class' deft maneuverability allows them to operate extremely close to shore and hug
the bottom of shallow water, making them the perfect defenders of the island nation.
7.
Akula Class – Russia
The largest submarines ever built, the legendary Akula class were originally deployed in 1986
and took the West by complete surprise, with most Western observers not thinking the Soviet
Union had the technical expertise to develop such an advanced submarine for at least another
decade.
At 367 feet (112 meters), Russia's Akulas remain the largest submarines ever launched.
The Akulas used commercially available Western tech in order to reduce noise levels on board,
a move which led to restrictions on the sale and lease of certain submarine technologies
amongst NATO nations.
Equipped with both anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and nuclear ballistic missiles, Akulas remain
a formidable threat even if only four remain in service with the Russian navy.
6.
Improved Los Angeles Class – USA
The most prolific submarine class in the world, the Los Angeles Class of nuclear attack submarines
have prowled the world's oceans since 1978.
With over 40 hulls serving alongside Seawolf and the new Virginia class subs, the US's
fleet of Los Angeles class submarines is a powerful deterrent to any would-be adversary.
Initially outfoxed by a Soviet counterpart during initial Alpha I deployment, improvements
to both propulsion and its tracking and targeting systems quickly saw the Los Angeles class
overtake its Soviet counterparts- prompting the development of new Soviet submarine designs.
Armed with Tomahawk Land Attack missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes, a Los Angeles
class submarine is an all-around threat and has undertaken missions ranging from anti-submarine
patrols to strike missions against Iraqi ground targets in both Gulf wars.
5.
Sierra II Class – Russia
Amongst the most expensive, and deep-diving of Russian submarines, the Sierra II class-
or Project 945A Kondor class- were the successor to the Sierra I class.
With a double hull made of titanium the Sierra II featured great noise reduction over its
predecessors and increased resistance to torpedo attacks.
Soviet titanium manufacturing and welding technology was far in advance of the West
at time of the Sierra II's production, but the material was far more expensive to work
with and skyrocketed the cost of Sierra IIs just as the Soviet Union began to disintegrate.
Replaced by the cheaper Akula class, they remain among one of the best-made Russian
submarines and one of the best attack submarines ever developed.
4.
Graney Class – Russia
The successor to the Akula class submarines, the Graney, or Project 885 Yasen, class of
subs is Russia's newest nuclear attack submarine.
With the original of its class laid down in 1993, funding problems following the Soviet
collapse led to a cancellation of further construction until 2003.
The first of its class was finally delivered to the Russian navy in 2013, and remains the
only commissioned boat of its type in active service.
In 2017 a second Graney was completed but is yet to officially join the Russian naval
service.
Armed with vertical launch tubes for anti-ship missiles and land-attack cruise missiles,
Graneys will be able to target both surface vessels such as American carrier groups, and
coastal targets.
Graneys are also armed with torpedoes for both anti-sub and anti-ship attack, but can
have their torpedoes replaced with mines.
Though more advanced than the Akula which it replaces, the Graney class is only slightly
quieter than the Akula- highlighting Russia's difficulties in mastering undersea acoustic
silencing technologies.
To further compound the Russian navy's problems, only four more ships of its type have been
ordered, with no plans for more- severely limiting Russia's submarine capabilities.
3.
Astute Class – Great Britain
With its vaunted Swiftsure class of nuclear powered submarines nearing the end of their
service lives, the Astute class is both a much-needed replacement for the British navy
and a huge technological leap forward.
Astutes feature advanced data processing capabilities, combining brains with considerable brawn in
the form of a complement of 36 torpedoes, or a mix of torpedos and anti-ship Harpoon
missiles.
In addition, Astutes can be loaded with Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles for striking deep
into enemy territory, and mines can replace its torpedo compliment for mining operations
in hostile or contested waters.
Four Astutes are currently in service with plans for a total force of 7 by 2024.
2.
Virginia Class – USA
The US Navy's newest attack submarine, the Virginia class is the replacement for the
venerable Los Angeles class fleet currently in service.
Designed as a smaller and cheaper alternative to the Seawolf class, the Virginia class is
equipped for the realities of a new world order where the threat of the full-scale war
against the Soviet Bloc is no longer a reality.
A multi-mission platform, Virginias will be able to fulfill the traditional anti-shipping
role of submarines while also engaging in reconnaissance, land-attack, and even special
operations missions- it is the first US submarine to employ a built-in Navy SEAL staging area
that will allow a team of 9 SEALs to enter and leave the submarine while still submerged.
Virginias will also be capable of carrying a new nuclear-variant of the Tomahawk cruise
missile allowing them to carry out nuclear deterrence missions as well.
With 14 currently in service and a further 16 on order, the Virginia class will ensure
the US Navy retains its underwater edge for decades to come.
1.
Seawolf Class – USA
In the mid 1980s the US faced an erosion of its technological edge over the Soviets due
to espionage and the trading of submarine silencing technology by various partners and
allies.
Determined to reclaim their underwater dominance, the US Navy developed and launched the Seawolf
class- the most advanced submarine ever built.
Described as 10 times quieter than the improved Los Angeles Class, and 70 times as quiet as
the original Los Angeles class, a Seawolf can cruise at 20 knots and still be nearly
impossible to locate- whereas most other subs must cruise no faster than 5 knots or give
their positions away.
It's said that a Seawolf cruising at 25 knots is still quieter than a Los Angeles class
sub tied up at its pier.
Packing a whopping 8 torpedo tubes in a double-decked torpedo room, the Seawolf can engage multiple
targets simultaneously- a reality it would have likely faced in a real war against the
Soviet Bloc as the Seawolf's price tag would have made large numbers of them impossible
to field.
At 33.6 billion dollars, the Seawolf class made up 25 percent of the US Navy's construction
budget in 1991 and was the most expensive naval weapons program in history.
Due to the high costs and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Seawolf was eventually
limited to just three in total- despite its overwhelming underwater superiority the new
world order simply didn't warrant the hefty price tag.
Yet the three Seawolfs first entering service in 1997, 1998, and 2005 are projected to remain
in service for years to come yet, still unmatched by anything in the ocean to include even the
US's new Virginia class.
Which sub in our top ten is really the best?
Which nation has the best submarines in the world?
Let us know in the comments!
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