The K-class failure helps explain why modern submarine cooperation does not mean placing several boats inside a surface formation. An attack submarine can scout covertly toward an enemy area and provide a first line of defense against hostile submarines. Its depth, sensor picture, and freedom of movement still make close coordination with surface ships difficult, so a task group commonly works with one boat rather than a submerged formation. Frigates and shipborne helicopters provide the more visible anti-submarine network around the surface force. Modern doctrine preserves the useful part of the fleet-submarine idea while avoiding the original demand for battle-line maneuver.
Notable Point · 54:14-56:43
Modern task groups coordinate submarines at arm's length
Attack submarines support modern task groups through covert reconnaissance and anti-submarine work, but coordination remains deliberately different from the K-class battle-line idea.