With the commissioning of the first nuclear-powered submarine, U.S.S. Nautilus (SSN-571), the U.S. Navy entered a new era. Nuclear propulsion allowed faster speeds, almost unlimited underwater endurance, and world-wide range. New records for speed and distance would be set, then broken on a continual basis.
New technologies such as radar and guided missiles would also impact the submarine service. Once again, submarines would serve as platforms for experiments with many different weapons and many different types of equipment. Submarines would see their designs and missions change not once, but several times during their careers.
At the same time, the U.S. Navy would stress safety to a previously unheard-of extent. Nevertheless, serious accidents would continue to occur. Additionally, not one, but two U.S. Nuclear submarines would be involved in accidents that would result in both submarines being lost with all hands. The following submarines were involved in serious accidents:
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This page last updated 1 June, 1998.