Submarine range could revive the cruiser-submarine idea

Before the war, range was becoming a greater interest than speed for many submarine programmes, especially larger boats. Underwater speed was already important to Royal Navy U-class design, but wartime experience gave it greater urgency. Continuing the prewar emphasis could revive aspects of the cruiser-submarine idea from the early 1920s. Larger guns would probably follow the American arrangement of deck guns, rather than the elaborate turrets tried by Britain and France. Increased minelaying capacity would also provide a useful option for these long-range missions.