Quote:
Originally posted by RUgreek
Eh, a seawolf class, well maybe the USS Bush or Clinton will be Virginia class subs. I hear those things are state-of-the-art stealth technology and can last over a year without needing to surface.
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To clarify the above even further: a nuclear submarine has nearly unlimited range; theoretically, it can stay submerged forever. Only endurance limitation is food for the sailors and officers aboard. Fresh produce is usually the first to get eaten; after a long patrol (which for attack subs can be as long as six months) the cook has to become very creative in preparing meals, as it can get pretty monotonous. Woe to the submarine cook who pisses off the crew with a pattern of bad meals - he might be stuffed into a torpedo tube and launched in a exercise!
Ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) are paired off into two complete crews: Blue and Gold, and serve roughly 90-day deterrent patrols. While one crew is on patrol, the other is on leave or training ashore.
Fast attack subs (SSNs) can have patrol durations as long as six months, in which there is very little, if any communication from home.