How Many Cruise Missiles Does a Submarine Carry?

By Robert Palmer

Submarines are one of the most powerful weapons in modern warfare. They can operate underwater, making them difficult to detect and track. One of the most deadly weapons that submarines carry is the cruise missile.

What is a Cruise Missile?

A cruise missile is a guided missile that is designed to deliver a payload, such as a conventional or nuclear warhead, to a specific Target. Unlike ballistic missiles, which follow a parabolic trajectory and are launched into space before re-entering the atmosphere to strike their Target, cruise missiles fly at low altitudes and follow a pre-programmed flight path.

How Many Cruise Missiles Does a Submarine Carry?

The number of cruise missiles that a submarine can carry depends on its class and size. The Ohio-class submarines, which are the largest in the US Navy’s fleet, can carry up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles. The Virginia-class submarines, which are smaller than the Ohio-class submarines, can carry up to 12 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The Tomahawk Cruise Missile

The Tomahawk cruise missile is one of the most widely used cruise missiles in the world. It has been in service with the US Navy since 1983 and has been used in numerous conflicts, including Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

The Tomahawk cruise missile has a range of over 1,000 miles and can be launched from surface ships as well as submarines. It is capable of striking Targets with pinpoint accuracy and can be programmed to fly around obstacles or take evasive action to avoid detection.

Conclusion

In conclusion, submarines are an essential component of modern naval warfare. Their ability to operate underwater makes them difficult to detect and track, and their ability to carry large numbers of cruise missiles makes them highly effective weapons platforms. While the number of cruise missiles that a submarine can carry varies depending on its class and size, the Tomahawk cruise missile is one of the most widely used and effective weapons in the world today.