Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:41:36-3:42:29

Why an uncrewed submarine need not grow to SSN size

Removing crew accommodation saves too much volume to justify an SSN-sized UUV, though weapons, sensors, batteries, and power generation can push it toward small SSK dimensions.

Attack SubmarinesDiesel Electric SubmarinesNaval WeaponsSubmarine DesignUncrewed Underwater Vehicles
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Question

Is there any advantage in building a full-size uncrewed submarine?

Short answer

Not at SSN scale, but a heavily armed long-endurance UUV could grow toward the smaller end of modern conventional-submarine size.

Notes

The panel sees no current reason to build an uncrewed submarine as large as a modern nuclear attack boat. A vehicle carrying torpedoes, cruise missiles, major sensors, batteries, and its own power generation will nevertheless grow beyond the dimensions associated with small expendable drones. The likely upper range approaches the smaller end of conventional submarine displacement rather than full SSN size. Mission demands, endurance, and payload therefore determine scale more directly than whether a crew is aboard.