List of submarine classes of the United States Navy


s of the United States Navy are built in classes, using a single design for a number of boats. Minor variations occur as improvements are incorporated into the design, so later boats of a class may be more capable than earlier. Also, boats are modified, sometimes extensively, while in service, creating departures from the class standard. However, in general, all boats of a class are noticeably similar.
Experimental use: an example is, which used an unprecedented hull design. In this list such single boat "classes" are marked with "".

Pre–World War I

World War I

Between the world wars

World War II

Cold War

Diesel-Electric Submarines (SSs, SSKs, and SSGs)

Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSNs)

Nuclear Cruise Missile Submarines (SSGNs)

Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs)

Deep-submergence vehicles (DSVs)

Miscellaneous Submarines (SSTs, SSRs, AGSSs & SSRNs)

Post–Cold War

General references