The fleet-submarine idea persisted through American Gato-class boats in the Second World War and other nations' attempts to build submarines that could operate with a fleet. Nuclear propulsion finally supplied the submerged speed and endurance that earlier designers could not obtain. Modern attack submarines can conduct anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, intelligence gathering, blockade, and trade interdiction while ranging with a task group. The expected 2021 Queen Elizabeth deployment illustrates how the possible presence of an unannounced Astute-class boat could change an opponent's assumptions. High submerged speed, worldwide range, and endurance limited chiefly by provisions and the crew make such a boat a practical fleet companion rather than a short-range ambush asset. The K-class goal survives, but nuclear power delivers it underwater and at global scale.
Chapter · 53:02-56:36
Nuclear submarines finally realize the fleet-submarine concept
Modern nuclear attack submarines can accompany carrier groups worldwide and add anti-submarine, anti-surface, intelligence, and interdiction capability.