The Age of the Submarine: Over by 2050?
5th April 2024
The US military’s reliance on traditional warfare methods, like aircraft carriers, faces challenges in the modern era of anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategies, making them increasingly obsolete. The alternative, submarines, particularly the Virginia-class, are crucial yet insufficient due to budget and industrial limitations. Moreover, the emergence of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), coupled with artificial intelligence and advanced detection technologies, threatens to render submarines obsolete as well. Despite these advancements, submarines remain vital in current great power dynamics, especially against China, highlighting the need for continued adaptation in military strategies to maintain effectiveness in future conflicts.
The sub in the header photo is not a U.S. sub but rather a Russian Akula.