Editing Submarine-launched missile (section)

== Missile launching submarines ==

=== Submarine types launching missiles ===
{{Main|List of submarine classes in service}}

* [[Ballistic missile submarine|Ballistic missile submarine (SSBN)]]: they launched [[ICBM]], they usually are large nuclear powered submarines. But in some rare cases, diesel submarines can be adapted to launch such missiles, but few can be on the submarine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ballistic Missile Submarines |url=https://raptor-scientific.com/applications/weapons-systems/ballistic-missile-submarines/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Raptor Scientific |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Cruise-missile submarine]] [[Cruise-missile submarine|(SSGN)]]: these submarines were developed or adapted with a primary role focused on land attack. They can send missiles with nuclear and conventional warheads, although conventional warheads are a standard.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Axe |first=David |date=2024-06-03 |title=Should the Royal Navy join the US in a very exclusive club? Good idea, but expensive |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/06/03/us-navy-royal-submarine-ssgn-missiles-special-operations/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
* [[Nuclear submarine|Nuclear-powered]] [[Nuclear submarine|attack submarines (SSN)]] are multirole submarines that have the capability to launch several types of missiles, at the exception of ICBM. Most have used the torpedo tube to launch their missiles, although more and more, these submarines can be equipped with [[Vertical launching system|VLS]] sections. Most submarines become modular, and have the option for a section dedicated for a VLS system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SSN-AUKUS-Class Nuclear Attack Submarines, UK |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/ssn-aukus-class-nuclear-attack-submarines-uk/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Naval Technology |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Conventional attack submarines can launch the same type of weapons as the nuclear attack submarines, but the volume of weapons tend to be smaller. They can also be equipped with VLS systems, although a majority of the classes use the torpedo tube to launch missiles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Submarines |url=https://www.naval-group.com/en/submarines |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Naval Group |language=en}}</ref> Some small nuclear powers (North Korea, Israel, Pakistan, and in the past India) use such missiles to operate their submarine-launched nuclear cruise missiles. For these, a VLS in the sail can be used, or the torpedo tube can be used for the missile launch.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Israel Has Nuclear-Armed Sub, Report Says {{!}} Arms Control Association |url=https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2012-07/israel-has-nuclear-armed-sub-report-says |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241212084619/https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2012-07/israel-has-nuclear-armed-sub-report-says |archive-date=2024-12-12 |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=www.armscontrol.org |language=en}}</ref>
* Underwater unmanned vessels are being developed, and some might get the mission to carry and launch some missiles.

=== Submarine launching methods ===
The submarines can launch missiles in various ways:

* A torpedo tube can be used to launch cruise missiles, ballistic missiles or anti-air missiles, and anti-submarine missiles. This launching method doesn't enable to launch missiles from under the Arctic ice.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Defense Technical Information Center |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADD019954 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240812071140/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADD019954 |archive-date=2024-08-12 |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=apps.dtic.mil |language=en}}</ref>
* The vertical launching system was initially developed for the launch of [[Submarine-launched ballistic missile|SLBM]] (Submarine-launched ballistic missile). This system has been also adapted to launch cruise missiles, and it was adapted to launch anti-air missiles. These missiles are usually launched underwater, but there is a possibility to surface, for example from under the ice to deploy the missiles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smaldore |first=Yannick |date=2020-10-08 |title=Saab's A26 Submarine Program Transitioning from Design to Production |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/10/saabs-a26-submarine-program-transitioning-from-design-to-production/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Man-portable air-defense system|MANPADS]] can be launched from a deployed mast while the submarine is underwater.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nurw |date=27 October 2012 |title=DEFENSE STUDIES: DCNS Introduces Anti-Aircraft Self-Defense for Submarines |url=http://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2012/10/dcns-introduces-anti-aircraft-self.html |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=DEFENSE STUDIES}}</ref>
* Small anti-air missiles can be launched from the deck once surfaced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Military Watch Magazine Editorial |date=2020-06-28 |title=Silent Killer: Why Russia and India’s Akula Class Attack Submarines Command Fear in Blue Waters |url=https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/silent-killer-why-russia-and-india-s-akula-class-attack-submarines-command-fear-in-blue-waters |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Military Watch Magazine |language=en}}</ref>