Q&A · 3:47:44-3:48:05

Early missile submarines and the US Navy's nuclear role

Diesel guided-missile submarines gave the US Navy useful experience with nuclear strike missions, but did not secure its place in the strategic nuclear force by themselves.

Cold War Navies Cruise Missiles Guided Missile Submarines Nuclear Strategy US Navy

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Question

Did early US diesel guided-missile submarines carrying nuclear cruise missiles secure the Navy's place in the nuclear force?

Short answer

No; they were a useful step and provided experience, but the Navy still had much more to do to secure that role.

Notes

Early diesel submarines carrying nuclear cruise missiles were a step toward a secure naval nuclear role. They gave the US Navy experience of what that role required. Their introduction alone was insufficient to settle the Navy's institutional position.