The Seawolf-class submarine is among the most advanced nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines in the US Navy's arsenal.

Designed during the Cold War, its mission was to counter the Soviet Union's Typhoon-class submarines, which displaced 48,000 tons and were the largest ever built.

The Soviets planned seven Typhoons but completed only six, beginning in 1981, with the last Akula decommissioned in 2001 after funding collapsed.

The Seawolf-class remains a cornerstone of US naval dominance, capable of operating in high-threat environments near former Soviet submarine bases.

Its unmatched stealth and firepower ensure it plays a vital role in modern naval operations worldwide.

Mission and capabilities

As a fast-attack submarine (SSN), the Seawolf's mission includes anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering and precision strike operations using cruise missiles.

It also supports special operations forces, offering covert insertion capabilities in contested waters.

With a crew of about 140, the submarine emphasizes stealth, speed and advanced weaponry to maintain superiority beneath the ocean's surface.

The Seawolf displaces roughly 9,300 tons and measures 107.6 meters in length with a 12.2-meter beam.

Powered by an SGW nuclear reactor, it boasts unlimited range and endurance, enabling extended deployments without refueling.

Fully submerged, the submarine can reach speeds of 35 knots, making it one of the fastest in the world.

Its diving depth is classified but estimated to exceed 800 feet, surpassing most US submarines.

Armament and stealth

The Seawolf carries eight torpedo tubes capable of firing Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes and launching Tomahawk cruise missiles for land-attack missions.

It can also deploy mines for area denial, giving it flexibility in offensive and defensive roles.

Originally designed to penetrate heavily defended Soviet submarine bases in the Arctic, the Seawolf could simultaneously engage multiple enemy submarines and disrupt naval deployments.

One of its most defining features is extreme quietness, achieved through advanced acoustic technologies.

Advanced sound-damping technologies make the Seawolf nearly undetectable, with an acoustic signature quieter than ambient ocean noise, which is around 90 decibels in deep water.

For comparison, modern submarines aim for noise levels below 120 decibels, highlighting the Seawolf's superiority in stealth.

Equipped with cutting-edge sonar systems, the submarine excels at detecting enemy vessels and has been observed operating in strategic regions like the South China Sea.

Today, only three Seawolf-class submarines exist: USS Seawolf (SSN-21), USS Connecticut (SSN-22) and USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23).

Commissioned in 1997, the class was initially planned for 29 boats, but the Soviet Union's 1991 collapse reduced production to three, shaping future submarine designs.