In a world where geopolitical tensions are at a simmer and military innovation is crucial, the U.S. Navy is exploring a ground-breaking concept: the merger of submarine stealth with aircraft carrier strike capabilities.

This idea comes at a time when the Navy’s power projection is challenged by advanced anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) systems.

The notion of a ‘sub-carrier,’ a submarine that could launch unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), is inching closer to reality. The concept, a nod to past experiments and the future of naval warfare, could redefine how the U.S. Navy operates in hostile environments.

It capitalizes on the stealth of submarines to penetrate contested waters and on the versatility of carriers to project air power.

For decades, submarines have lurked beneath the waves, silently ready to unleash torpedoes, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. On the surface, aircraft carriers have paraded their floating airfields, dispatching aircraft to enforce air dominance.

However, the changing theater of naval warfare necessitates a transformative approach, one that harnesses the advantages of both platforms.

The sub-carrier idea is not without historical precedent. In the waning days of World War II, the Imperial Japanese Navy experimented with a specialized submarine capable of launching seaplanes to attack the Panama Canal. While the concept never fully materialized, it provided a tantalizing glimpse into the potential of submersible aircraft carriers.

Fast forward to today, the U.S. Navy has tested the waters with drone launches from submarines, such as the Sea Robin and Blackwing.

The advancement of technology has made these tests more than mere speculation. Israel’s successful trial of the Ninox 103, a submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, underscores the viability of UAVs in extending the reach of undersea vessels.

Imagining the sub-carrier, one envisions an underwater behemoth with an elevator and a flat-top deck populated by autonomous robots preparing drones for launch. These innovative drones could guide torpedoes, enhancing their accuracy, and provide invaluable intelligence for Navy SEAL operations.

The sub-carrier’s flat-top is currently more of an artist’s concept than a reality, but the combination of drones and submarines is advancing, potentially revolutionizing naval strategy and tactical operations.

Meanwhile, industry concerns loom over the U.S. Navy’s shipbuilding schedules. The delivery of the future USS Enterprise (CVN-80), an aircraft carrier, has been pushed back by 18 months, a sign of broader challenges within the defense manufacturing sector. The delay, attributed to material availability and supply chain performance, also affects the purchase timeline for the next carrier, CVN-82. The industrial base is feeling the strain, with supplier layoffs and deprioritization of military shipbuilding looming on the horizon.

This delay carries implications for the Navy’s ability to maintain a robust fleet and complicates the production of other critical assets like nuclear-powered submarines. The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine program, however, remains a bright spot, with the future USS New Jersey (SSN 796) scheduled for commissioning, symbolizing the Navy’s commitment to undersea supremacy.

As military enthusiasts and tech-savvy readers scrutinize these developments, the anticipation of an innovative sub-carrier joining the fleet becomes part of a larger conversation on the future of naval power.

With the pressure of global tensions and the need for advanced military solutions, the fusion of submarine and carrier capabilities isn’t just an experiment—it’s a potential game-changer in naval warfare.

Relevant articles:
– Merge a Submarine and Aircraft Carrier: The U.S. Navy’s Future Warship, The National Interest
– The Sub-Carrier: Merge Together An Aircraft Carrier and Submarine, The National Interest
– Aircraft Carrier Enterprise Delivery Delayed by 18 Months, Says Navy, USNI News
– Future USS New Jersey Delivers to U.S. Navy, United States Navy (.mil)