Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:40:38-2:41:37

What a 10,000-ton treaty submarine might become

Using the full treaty allowance would create an enormous cruiser submarine, possibly with retractable or protected gun turrets built around a pressure hull.

Cruiser SubmarinesNaval GunneryNaval TreatiesSubmarinesWarship Design
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Question

What kind of submarine could a navy design under a 10,000-ton interwar treaty limit?

Short answer

It would likely be a huge cruiser submarine, potentially using protected or retractable gun turrets around the pressure hull.

Notes

A 10,000-ton submarine built with 1920s technology would be enormous. The concept would move beyond a conventional patrol boat and become a cruiser submarine with heavy surface-combat features. Gun turrets might be lowered or protected within an outer hull while their working structures remained outside the pressure hull. A generous treaty ceiling could encourage designers to combine submarine endurance with cruiser-like armament at great complexity.