Top 5 Ballistic Missile Submarines: The Titans of Underwater Warfare

Summary and Key Points The U.S. Navy has long been a leader in submarine design, particularly in the development of ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), which play a crucial role in the nation's nuclear triad.

-Among the top five SSBNs are the Typhoon-class, Ohio-class, Columbia-class, Vanguard-class, and Delta IV-class.

-The Typhoon-class, once the largest ever built, was a Soviet counter to the Ohio-class, which remains a key part of the U.S. sea-based nuclear deterrent.

-The upcoming Columbia-class will replace the Ohio-class, while the British Vanguard-class and Russian Delta IV-class also stand out for their advanced capabilities.

From Typhoon to Vanguard: The Evolution of Ballistic Missile Submarines

The U.S. Navy has always been the world leader in submarine design. Over the years, the service has conceptualized some truly incredible vessels designed to outmatch the capabilities of our adversaries.

5 Best Ballistic Missile Submarines Ever 

While the service's arsenal of fast attack boats functions as its silent killers, the fleet's ballistic missile submarines hold the real power as key components to the country's nuclear triad. 

Typhoon-Class

Last year, the Russian Navy’s Dmitry Donskoy nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine made headlines when it was decommissioned earlier than planned. This Typhoon-class ship was the lead vessel of the Soviets’ Project 941 Akula class.

Although this aging class initially developed to counter the U.S. Navy's Ohio submarines, the Typhoons no longer lead Russia’s sea-based fleet. But this legendary class remains well respected. With a submerged displacement of roughly 48,000 tons, the Typhoons were by far the largest subs ever constructed. Armament-wise, the Typhoons were capable of launching long-range nuclear missiles even while moored at docks.

The Ohio-class

Arguably the strongest point of the U.S. military’s sea-based nuclear deterrent, Ohio-class ballistic missile SSBNs certainly rank high in terms of submarine prowess. In fact, the Navy’s Ohio ships together carry roughly half of America’s active strategic thermonuclear warheads. The service currently possesses 14 Ohio-class SSBNs, in addition to four Ohio-class cruise missile subs (SSGNs).

Notably, these well-armed vessels are capable of lugging two dozen Trident II missiles apiece. The SSGNs can carry 154 Tomahawk missiles in addition to torpedo-launched Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and they have much greater flexibility than their ballistic-missile brethren.

The Columbia-class

The Navy’s upcoming Columbia-class submarines will replace their Ohio predecessors when introduced. While these vessels have garnered negative media attention in recent months due to manufacturing delays, the Columbia ships will undoubtedly represent the best of the best when they eventually set sail. These vessels are expected to measure 560 feet in length and to displace 21,000 tons, making them much larger than previous classes. The ships’ nuclear reactors will notably not require refueling during their planned lifetime service.

Although many details and specs surrounding the upcoming program remain classified, these ships will be fitted with 16 missile tubes for launching Trident II D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

The Vanguard-class

The British Royal Navy’s Vanguard class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines is widely considered to be one of the best of its kind. Developed in the UK to serve as a sea-based nuclear deterrent, these vessels are all fitted with four 21-inch torpedo tubes and can sport up to 16 Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes.

The ballistic missiles equipped on these ships can be fired at targets up to 4,000 miles away. Vanguard ships are the largest submarines manufactured in the UK, displacing nearly 16,000 tons when submerged.

The Delta IV-class

For over five decades, the Soviet-designed Delta-class submarines have been the mainstay of the USSR and Russian strategic submarine fleets.The latest iteration – the Delta IV-class – is fitted with the most modern capabilities.

Each of these vessels is armed with sixteen R-29RMU Sineva liquid-fuel ballistic missiles, which can each carry between four and eight warheads. Today, the six remaining Delta IV variants in service are expected to be replaced by the new Borei line of strategic submarines down the line. 

About the Author: Maya Carlin, Defense Expert 

Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.

All images are Creative Commons.