Submarine
A submarine is a type of ship capable of traveling underwater. Experiments with submarines began in the 18th century, with the first submarine that managed to destroy a ship being the CSS Hunley during the American Civil War. Submarines would not achieve prominence as a key part of the Navy until the Great War, however.
The main advantage of a submarine is stealth, and the typical armament of modern submarines consists of torpedos and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
Examples of Historical Submarines
- German Type VII submarine (Nazi Germany)
- Alvin
- Ohio class (United States of America)
- Akula class (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics/Russian Federation)
- Astute class (United Kingdom)
- Xia class (People's Republic of China)
Submarines in Science Fiction
Submarines play a role in science fiction. Occasionally spacecraft have been shown in science fiction to be able to operate underwater, despite the fact that operating underwater has a very different set of challenges from operating in space.
In addition, some space warships are capable of fulfilling a submarine-like role by employing stealth technology, such as cloaking devices.
Science Fiction Submarines
- Nautilus
- UEO seaQuest DSV 4600
- Red October