Noel Laurence wanted a new small submarine, especially for training, while Admiral Henderson wanted modern technology in the design. Exercises had exposed the difficulty of concealing larger boats in confined waters. The initial three-boat experiment grew into a U class of 49, followed by improved V-class boats. The lineage through the improved V class fed into the Royal Navy's postwar submarine programme. Underwater performance received attention comparable to surface performance. A V-class boat's submerged attack on another submerged submarine illustrates that emphasis on underwater capability.
Chapter · 6:15:35-6:18:53
The U class: small training boats and underwater performance
A three-boat experiment for training and confined waters expanded into the U and V classes and influenced later British submarine designs.