10 Types of Submarine Explained

Quick Covert Shores guide to the 10 types of submarines in service today. From SSBN to SSK, to AGS. Explains what these terms means.
My website for submarines like those in the video, including the cutaway illustrations, at www.hisutton.com/
My Twitter account / covertshores

[@curtiscruncher]

I've been reading your articles for several years now, I'm so pleased you're making videos now , great job!

[@drupiROM]

Yup, i first hit the subscribe button then the like one :)

[@chrisbendall8490]

Which articles?

[@ianstobie]

The France-Australia tiff means suddenly all the world is talking about submarines! So thank you for this very clear and well-informed content. Much needed.

[@urgalf3337]

Your drawings have been so ripped off on YT that I really hope that your videos get the attention they deserve. YT is a good media if you want to reach a larger audience than your website (outside of the Submarine enthusiasts circle). Thank you for your content

[@mamneo2]

Incroyable.

[@cost-pluscontent2371]

Excellent video, graphics and audio work very well together. The audio seems a little echoey, but that’s a nitpick. Cheers to many more!

[@jwg72]

Might be able to be partly fixed in audacity? Although I agree that some foam or a different mic might be nice - still listenable though! Especially because it is interesting.

[@johntillman6068]

Australia is also planning on acquiring SSNs. The Republic of Korea now is commissioning SSBs as well.

[@dezmondwhitney1208]

I am from the UK and I am NOT a Submariner. From my point of view, Your videos are eye opening and most insightful. Keep up this good work.

[@BK-uf6qr]

Another smashing success. You get right to the point with no BS!

[@martintoppelius9152]

Love your work! Been following your work for years now and hoping to do so for many years to come. Surely the videos will take this to another level! Best regards.

[@davidterhorst5115]

I like this format and im excited for future videos on this channel! I began reading your site because of jiveturkey his subbrief mentioning you.

[@Atalaclys]

Great to find you here as well. Good work, looking forward for more content.

[@joeljacobchandy3838]

Another marvelous explanation by Mr Sutton looking forward to seeing more

[@jwg72]

It'd be interesting to see this with submarines up to 1920 (e.g. fleet submarines vs. submarine cruisers, small littoral submarines, fast submarines etc.) It'd be interesting to look at the J, K, M, and R classes for instance... and see if they have any analogues.

[@Hierachy]

Brilliant video mate, i watch a lot of sub brief videos and its great to see more content for submarines! cant wait for more videos!

[@Zitropat]

A loyal follower here. Keep up the great job. A great amount of work considering this is a one man show. Saludos.

[@YodaFZ]

Another great asset from H. I. Sutton's already awesome work in bringing the latest OSINT about the world's Submarine forces. As far as I'm humbly concerned this is a very interesting and honest effort from the author and one to keep going on with future vid-editions! 🤗 All the best from a long time fan.

[@fidem15893]

I follow your site CovertShores. Excellent video.

[@sebhaggart982]

Great contact as always! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@charleselswick5404]

These videos are very helpful and informative. Please keep making them!

[@cascas1672]

Thank you for these drawings.

[@Corsair8X]

Really looking forward to more of these if you will. Subscribed just in case.

[@tka1979]

Thanks for sharing Mr. Sutton. Very informative. I hope you'll make more vidoes. Greetings from Iceland.

[@Brettmlyons]

New subscriber here. Love all of your videos and am very excited to have something on YT that truly goes in depth. Thank you so much for all the work you put in.

[@jamiekmett8847]

Awesome, H.I.! KEEP THEM COMING! LOVE Covert Shores, and love this!

[@brianwaffle]

Great work. We look forward to seeing more from you.

[@shaider1982]

Wow! Congrats to your first video👍

[@spartanleonidus238]

Consistently great submarine content! o7 Thank you and I look forward to more sub vids in the future!

[@johnmay6090]

Congrats on your first video. Most informative. Thankyou.

[@adnanzisan9398]

Thanks Mr.Sutton for this awesome content. Hope to see more basic infos about submarines. Thanks again.

[@wdwerker]

The “ Jimmy Carter “ was the last Seawolf built and they added a 100 ft section for divers and cable spying.

[@CosmosNut]

Have really enjoyed your web site, thank you for all the great work, including this video.

[@russeldelgado9550]

Phenomenal work, i've gone through multiple videos, here on KZbin, and not one of them conveyed this information, in as concise, and easy to understand manner, as you did, i'll be sure to check out the website, but the work on KZbin, is greatly appreciated cheers!

[@JeKramxel]

You've got to keep this up! Love if you could do a podcast or something more Q&A style, but it's up to you. Whatever content you'd like to produce, I'm sure it will be great.

[@mickyd1234567]

Fantastic video and content, please keep them coming!

[@fishdroid]

Generally speaking, I like unscripted videos. Your videos are very good. I was in the field of ASW in the American navy, so your videos are especially of interest to me. More videos from the perspective of ASW would be a wonderful topic. Thanks so much for your videos.

[@MrGeneralDrProfessor420]

Great overview, keep these coming!

[@iformaddox3652]

Excellent video, great to see you on here.

[@kevinkral4568]

A nifty "Handbook" post, and a fine reference for novice enthusiasts such as myself. Regards, Kev

[@petesheppard1709]

Enjoyable, informative videos. It took me a moment to recognize the bell that was ringing, but your site is a regular source for Aaron on 'Sub Briefs'. I remember SSKs being referred to as 'Hunter-Killer Subs', so I suppose the 'K' originally meant 'Killer'.

[@b1laxson]

I a visual learner so these days videos, largely youtube documentaries, are my ongoing learning method. Thanks for putting the video together.

[@georgesmith4509]

great video. I have just found out how much I didn't know about subs. you are probably aware that since the date of your video Australia has decided to go with SSNs ( I think SSCNs) as they will be armed with tomahawk missiles as well torpedoes. instead of the diesel electrics. I think a sensible move considering the distance they will need to travel. Excellent graphics

[@forsakenghost7054]

For your first video and not being scripted it is a marvelous video very informative and its not boring as some of the other videos I have seen

[@shroutosaur]

Please continue with more videos. You are an excellent subject matter expert.

[@brucermarino]

Just found the channel and it is excellent! 'Looking forward to more videos. Thanks!

[@CyberAbyss007]

Great video! I worked on SDV program many years ago. Appreciate you included them. :-) Almost worked on ASDS (DCS) system.

[@stevemyers8065]

Well done. Great graphics.

[@SA-xf1eb]

I find the concept of the SSMs and small SSKs to be very interesting.

[@blackopscw7913]

Agreed.

[@doomslayer7719]

Great, short, and informative video!

[@sage2308]

Have enjoyed your articles and website, your videare very informative, especially enjoyed the AIP item. Please carry on making videos!!! Many thanks

[@maxt9657]

I‘m looking forward to your video on AIP subs!

[@hypervious8878]

A very interesting and to the point break down. A topic which might make a good video (unless there's less to it than I thought) is submarine classes for which only one hull was only ever built (and why). Of course, a topic you could always keep in reserve for when your viewership dips for some reason is rating and evaluating submarine sequences in movies and pop culture. I know it might be a little low brow but everytime a KZbinr I trust does it I can never resist.

[@MrDrkavn]

Great to have your knowledge on YT

[@chraffis]

Keep 'em coming!

[@ZordaanTelevisioN]

Thanks very much for all I've seen of your videos and website, sir.

[@chemputer]

I'd absolutely love to see a video covering SDVs, personally. They seem fascinating!

[@ariplane1762]

Hello H I Sutton, I always enjoyed content coming from you, no matter if its in text or video form. If you really choose to make more videos in the future, will you try yourself maybe in a Q & A format, in which readers / viewers can ask you some questions? Maybe something similar to Drachinifels Drydock episode Q & A videos, but in a smaller scale, since you have a smaller community. Anyways besides of this, thank you for your great quality content, which you delivered now for years.

[@arjovenzia]

+1 Id be keen. and as much as we love Drach's work, I cant handle 3-5 hrs ;-) Id love to hear some needle questions answered about subs tho.

[@djolds1]

A well done presentation. Thank you.

[@WildBillCox13]

Please keep making videos. I am enjoying your content.

[@ardeladimwit]

beautiful job as ever-- double thumbs up

[@ThErEaLw0Lf95]

for a first video, i liked this a lot, more of this please :)

[@abab-fc3xg]

The video was very nice, but It would be helpful if you displayed the length, height, and width of the submarines when you displayed a photograph of the submarine.

[@MongyBongy]

Great video, great info, please invest in a quality mic and recording setup as these could be an amazing supplement to the website

[@emmabird9745]

I like the style. Great.

[@erice.8637]

Well done and really helpful video, keep it up!

[@jwg72]

What about Kanyon/Status-6? Also Submarine landing craft (albeit not built)... :) It'd be interesting to see a non-sensible overview as well! With some of the oddities.

[@bogdanbogdanoff5164]

Poseidon could be described as a nuclear UUV, but it's a bit of a stretch. It is an unmanned underwater vehicle, but it's completely autonomous, and not remotely steered.

[@crazyivan2905]

great video h i sutton. keep them coming. change nothing in your delivery of your lecture. no scripts needed.aloha

[@TooBiggoBritches]

Great video!

[@danielmartin7838]

I would have never imagined France being as active as she is in submarine production. In hindsight, it's not a surprise.

[@godfreytomlinson2282]

Awesome video. Very informative. I'd love to know which type Australia has just agreed to buy from the USA

[@HISuttonCovertShores]

They will be SSNs, possibly with cruise missiles but not SSGNs (although some might spin them that way)

[@RiturajSen]

Great video, please make more videos like this.

[@rybuds47]

I saw H I Sutton on the channel and i knew exactly what that meant from jive Turkey. Nice to be here!

[@folgore1]

Excellent video! Is there really much difference between SSN's and SSGN's given that US SSN's can now launch Harpoon and Tomahawk missiles?

[@MrGsteele]

SSN's have had the ability to launch Harpoon and Tomahawk missiles for over 40 years. SSGN's are vertical launch systems with large complements of cruise missiles, and their tactical mission is land-attack, rather than anti-surface ship and anti-submarine. Their torpedo complements are adjuncts, principally for defense. An SSN's tactical role is hunter-killer - anti-surface and submarine, very torpedo-focused, and extended by, for example, the original TASMs - Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missiles - that were meant to replace Harpoon, and that now are being reconsidered as role-extension weapons. Is there overlap? Of course, as there is really between nearly all submarines with multi-function tubes. But an SSGN is a volley-fire missile launch platform, as opposed to a load-and-fire, tube-at-a-time missile launcher. Both the VLS retrofitted to 30 of the 688-class SSN's and the Mk-45 VLS deployed on Virginia-class SSN's blur the distinction somewhat, and really move the class into SSGN category while retaining the attack role - becoming a dual-role platform. Keep in mind that torpedo operations are stealth operations; volley-fire missile launches largely eliminate that advantage. Also, VLS systems can prepare large numbers of missiles simultaneously (gyro platform, mission load), and do not impede the use of torpedo tubes for defense or anti-ship use as tube-launched cruise missiles do.

[@danielniffenegger7698]

I enjoyed it; keep it up!

[@yes_head]

Well done, thanks!

[@Bananaskin101]

Do submarines normally sail with loaded tubes to boost torpedo capacity? Keep up the great videos 👍

[@thomascampbell4730]

Very informative and I like the informal format, unlike the wooden droning that is all too common.

[@jf752]

very informative. thanks 👍🏻

[@dataman6744]

US needs a new cruise missile, Tomahawk just doesn't cut it anymore. The Russian are fielding some really serious cruise missiles

[@breno103]

Hi H I Sutton, there is a problem with the link to this video in your website. I had to press F12, and inspect the html code to copy the correct link. When you click on the link, it returns to the same page. It will be fantastic to see more of your work in KZbin

[@jepkratz]

Sub Brief referred me. Thank you for the overview. Well done.

[@uggiebear1]

Liked and subscribed 👍

[@Travelin2Wit]

Nice video. thank you,

[@Mark1526374859]

Thanks. I enjoyed that.

[@thomasdobson8978]

NR1 was deep diving, but did have a crew. One former crew member was a shipmate of mine. He described the mission to pick up the Discovery shuttle remains. Not a fun mission.

[@babisz8640]

Next one about torps ? or sonars ?

[@benjaminmathon7417]

Cool i hope to see a lot more soon

[@erikhalinaronsson1175]

Like your content, it´s good on most levels, altough i think that you should improve your audio. It´s quite quiet and doesn´t sound great. A new microphone and som equicker cuts might help. Otherwise i just wanna sya that you´re doing a great job and i really hope you keep up the great work!

[@Mob1leN1nja]

Australia is working on one now. Not sure when that info was released in reference to the video release date

[@user-tf6ck1ku6y]

Good Job! Make more videos!!

[@justsomehaatonpassingby4488]

There's also the extinct class of submarines the "SSV" for "Aircraft Carrier Submarine"

[@he_exe]

I wounder if the WW2 cruisers submarines like the Surcouf also had their own class

[@justsomehaatonpassingby4488]

@@he_exe probably SSC... With Surcouf-class being an SSCV, though probably the reason why cruiser subs didn't have their own class since the only difference it had with other subs were the bigger deck guns and those are the main armaments rather than torpedoes, and that WW1 submarines were pretty much just cruiser subs

[@dunno_112]

Nice videos and article very helping for a submarine fans just like me but im quite only know a thing

[@neiljopling4693]

With Western carrier decks seemingly being cleared of everything not an F-35 is there any chance SSRN makes a comeback?

[@deltic5514]

I thought it was Ship Submersible (SS) although i know subs are always refered to as boats SS(K) K stands for Killer as in hunter killer

[@HISuttonCovertShores]

I think that's RN. The USN system I think is "self-propelled submersible" Amounts to same thing, and anyway just "submarine" in normal terms

[@WECR]

Estuvo muy bueno, pero ¿y cómo se clasificaría el Dolphin Israelí, con los tubos de 650mm y misiles nucleares?. Gracias.

[@Sol-os5pk]

Israel doesnt officialy have nukes

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

@HISuttonCovertShores >>> Great video...👍

[@_R-R]

Excellente

[@daveroche6522]

Excellent - very informative and interesting - thank you. Anyone else remember (and still watch, with fondness) Irwins Allens Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea? Aye - every episode typically featuring ....dour XO / the (obligatory) dodgy congressman/senator / dour XO / scary monster (MIRS - Man In Rubber Suit) / dour XO / an old (nefarious) friend of the Admiral / dour XO / foreign dude acting suspiciously / dour XO / overgrown/pissed off/radioactive halibut/jellyfish/potted plant / dour XO / disillusioned scientist / dour XO / Clarkie doing his completely OTT Panicky loudmouth routine / particularly dour XO / and so on and so on. The point being the designation - SSRN Seaview; Sub Surface Research (presumably) Nuclear. Great stuff.

[@HISuttonCovertShores]

By the USN system. SSRN would be a radar picket submarine, which was a thing at the time. But Hollywood probably meant 'research' like you say. I didn't include SSRN because it is no longer relevant. But Seaview would be an SSAN in my view. Cool retro TV

[@daveroche6522]

@@HISuttonCovertShoresThanks again and yes, t'was cool despite the umpteen illogicals - I'd still like an actual Flying Sub (FS-1) for Christmas though. A great one to watch is Hostile Waters (featuring Rutger and Martin) - based on fact, insofar as I'm aware.

[@daveroche6522]

@@HISuttonCovertShoresWhoops - forgot to mention the actual NR-1 (now decommissioned, I think) - it was classified as an engineering and research vessel, if memory serves.

[@christburger647]

looks good

[@yesman6559]

Yes

[@letsseeif]

I know a lot about aircraft (as a pilot) but I've always wondered about submarines and brave crews that use their mysterious missions. More please. You'll be aware that Australia has just 'jilted' France and it's local build of diesel subs, instead jumping to US/UK pressure to get Nuclear instead.

[@FairladyS130]

Nothing to do with 'pressure' from anyone but rather China's increasing belligerence around SE Asia requiring a long mission submarine.

[@_John_P]

It was popular pressure from the Australian people + cost overruns + lack of deliveries + China.

[@TheFilwud]

SSN = Ship Submersible Nuclear etc. Just thought I would clarify what the SS stands for.

[@HISuttonCovertShores]

Thanks. Yes, I think that's the RN version. Same thing.