attack submarine

military technology

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

An attack submarine is a naval vessel capable of operating both on the surface and underwater. These submarines are primarily designed to attack enemy surface ships and destroy other submarines. They are typically armed with torpedoes and can also carry antiship and land-attack cruise missiles.12

The development of nuclear propulsion revolutionized submarine capabilities, allowing them to remain submerged for extended periods at high speeds. This enhanced maneuverability and endurance made them formidable weapons platforms, capable of operating near enemy bases and lying in ambush undetected. Key design trends in modern nuclear attack submarines include increased speed, greater diving depth, and advanced silencing technology.3245

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

submarine
The nuclear navies
…revolution in antisubmarine warfare, with attack submarines becoming the primary antisubmarine weapons. Attack submarines are armed with torpedoes and, in some cases, with antiship missiles. Strategic submarines may carry similar weapons, but their primary weapons are submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), such as the U.S. and British Trident.
Read More
…revolution in antisubmarine warfare, with attack submarines becoming the primary antisubmarine weapons. Attack submarines are armed with torpedoes and, in some cases, with antiship missiles. Strategic submarines may carry similar weapons, but their primary weapons are submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), such as the U.S. and British Trident.
Read More