Tech & Auto
The Oldest Military Submarines Still Serving Today
By LUKE MITCHELL
Oscar Class
The Soviet Oscar class nuclear submarine is colossal at 155 meters in length, and it has a displacement of over 16,000 tons, increasing to over 20,000 when submerged.
It can last 120 days underwater, and is tested to a depth of 600 meters. It is so successful that an improved Oscar II was announced with quieter engines and increased armaments.
Agosta Class
A French Agosta class submarine displaces over 1,500 tons when surfaced. It is armed with Exocet SM39 missiles that can be launched from the torpedo tubes.
These skim the sea's surface up to a range of 50 kilometers before striking their target with deadly computer-guided precision, wreaking havoc on surface vessels.
Los Angeles Class
The Los Angeles class is another fast attack submarine, built and operated by the U.S. Navy and is a nuclear-powered vessel.
Not only does it carry up to 25 torpedo-launched Tomahawk and Harpoon missiles, but it also has the capability to fire Tomahawks vertically via its 12 air-launching tubes.
Type 035
This is a Chinese diesel-electric powered sub. It is equipped with a reinforced hull that enables it to dive to depths of 300 meters.
Early examples were armed with anti-ship missiles that could be launched while submerged and straight-runner torpedoes with a range of 5.6 kilometers, deployed via eight tubes.
Type 091
The Chinese Type 091 struggled to meet the same thermal performance standards and sound reduction, as sonar detection is the biggest threat to a submarine's security.
The advanced sonar, reconnaissance, and sound detection equipment of the Type 091 were developed without any assistance from Western sources.