Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:02:40-2:03:10

SSN and SSGN: primary mission defines the distinction

The explanation distinguishes a submarine carrying some cruise missiles from one whose main task is a missile strike.

Attack SubmarinesGuided Missile SubmarinesSSGNSubmarine WarfareVertical Launch Systems
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

What is the difference between an SSN and an SSGN?

Short answer

An SSN's primary job is attack-submarine work, while an SSGN is organized around launching cruise missiles.

Notes

An SSGN focuses on cruise-missile strikes. An SSN can carry such weapons while retaining attack-submarine work as its primary role. Increasing the missile battery can eventually change that balance. This distinction starts the longer disagreement over whether enlarged Virginias should still receive ordinary attack-submarine assignments.