Submarine-launched missile

Missile types

The types of submarine launched missiles that exist include ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, hypersonic missiles, anti-submarine missiles, anti-air missiles.^[1]

Missile roles

These missiles can be used for the following missions, such as land attack, anti-ship warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-aircraft warfare.^[1]

Guidance

The guidance systems of the missiles are varied. They can be guided by GPS, by terrain countour matching, by inertial guidance system, astral guidance systems and infrared guidance. Those systems can be combined for more reliability and precision.^[2]

Warheads

The warheads used by those missile are:^[3]

• HE (high explosive)
• Pre-fragmented HE (high-explosive )
• Penetrative warheads
• Warhead with submunitions
• Nuclear single warhead
• Nuclear missile with multiple warheads with a MIRV system (Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle)
• Nuclear torpedoes

Submarine types launching missiles

• Ballistic missile submarine (SSBN): they launched ICBM, they usually are large nuclear powered submarines. But in some rare cases, diesel submarines can be adapted to launch such missiles, but few can be on the submarine.^[4]
• Cruise-missile submarine (SSGN): these submarines were developed or adapted with a primary role focused on land attack. They can send missiles with nuclear and conventional warheads, although conventional warheads are a standard.^[5]
• Nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN) are multirole submarines that have the capability to launch several types of missiles, at the exception of ICBM. Most have used the torpedo tube to launch their missiles, although more and more, these submarines can be equipped with VLS sections. Most submarines become modular, and have the option for a section dedicated for a VLS system.^[6]
• Conventional attack submarines can launch the same type of weapons as the nuclear attack submarines, but the volume of weapons tend to be smaller. They can also be equipped with VLS systems, although a majority of the classes use the torpedo tube to launch missiles.^[7] Some small nuclear powers (North Korea, Israel, Pakistan, and in the past India) use such missiles to operate their submarine-launched nuclear cruise missiles. For these, a VLS in the sail can be used, or the torpedo tube can be used for the missile launch.^[8]
• Underwater unmanned vessels are being developed, and some might get the mission to carry and launch some missiles.

Submarine launching methods

The submarines can launch missiles in various ways:

• A torpedo tube can be used to launch cruise missiles, ballistic missiles or anti-air missiles, and anti-submarine missiles. This launching method doesn't enable to launch missiles from under the Arctic ice.^[9]
• The vertical launching system was initially developed for the launch of SLBM (Submarine-launched ballistic missile). This system has been also adapted to launch cruise missiles, and it was adapted to launch anti-air missiles. These missiles are usually launched underwater, but there is a possibility to surface, for example from under the ice to deploy the missiles.^[10]
• MANPADS can be launched from a deployed mast while the submarine is underwater.^[11]
• Small anti-air missiles can be launched from the deck once surfaced.^[12]

Conventional ballistic missiles

More information Model, Origin ...

Model	Origin	Role	Warhead type	Status	Used with	Notes
Hyunmoo 4-4	South Korea	Land attack	Conventional HE warhead	In service	Dosan Ahn Changho class (KSS-III)	[13]

Close

Conventional and nuclear-capable ballistic missiles

More information Model, Origin ...

Model	Origin	Role	Warhead type	Status	Used with	Notes
K-15 Or B-05 Sagarika	India	Land attack	Conventional (HE) and nuclear (single warhead)	In service	Arihant class	[14]

Close

Nuclear ballistic missiles

More information Model, Origin ...

Model	Origin	Role	Warhead type	Status	Used with	Notes
JL-1	China	Land attack	Single warhead	Retired	Modified Golf class SSB Type 092 (retired)	[15]
JL-2	China	Land attack	1 × 1 MT warhead 3-8 × 20/90/150 kT warheads (MIRV)	In service	Type 032 Type 094 Type 094A	[16]
JL-3	China	Land attack	1-3 × warhead (MIRV)	In service	Qing class (Type 032) Type 094 Type 094A Type 096	[17][18]
K-4 Kalam-4	India	Land attack	Single warhead	In service	Arihant class	[19]
K-5	India	Land attack	MIRV warhead	Under development	Arihant class S5 class	[20]
K-6	India	Land attack	MIRV warhead	Under development	Arihant class S5 class	[20]
M1	France	Land attack	1 × MR 41	Retired	Redoutable class (ships Le Redoutable, Le Terrible [fr])	[21]
M2	France	Land attack	1 × MR 41	Retired	Redoutable class (ships Le Redoutable, Le Terrible [fr])	[22]
M20	France	Land attack	1 × TN 60 1 × TN 61 successor warhead	Retired	Redoutable class (ships Le Redoutable, Le Terrible [fr], Le Foudroyant [fr], L'Indomptable [fr], Le Tonnant [fr])	[23][24] Aaa
M4A	France	Land attack	TN-70 (6 × MIRV)	Retired	Redoutable class (ships Le Terrible [fr], Le Foudroyant [fr], L'Indomptable [fr], Le Tonnant [fr], L'Inflexible)	[25]
M4B	France	Land attack	TN-71 (6 × MIRV)	Retired	Redoutable class (ships Le Terrible [fr], Le Foudroyant [fr], L'Indomptable [fr], Le Tonnant [fr], L'Inflexible)	[25]
M45	France	Land attack	TN 75	Retired	Triomphant class (ships Le Triomphant, Le Téméraire, Le Vigilant)	[26][27]
M51.1	France	Land attack	TN 75 (retired, 6 × MIRV)	In service	Triomphant class (ships Le Vigilant, Le Terrible)	[28][29][30]
M51.2	France	Land attack	TNO ("Tête nucléaire océanique", 4 - 6 × MIRV)	In service	Triomphant class (ships Le Triomphant, Le Téméraire)	[28][29][30]
M51.3	France	Land attack	TNO-2 ("Tête nucléaire océanique", 6 × MIRV)	In service	SNLE 3G (future) Triomphant class	[31][32]
M51.4	France	Land attack	TNO-2 ("Tête nucléaire océanique", 6 × MIRV)	Under development	SNLE 3G (future)	[33]
Pukguksong-1 KN-11 (US designation)	North Korea	Land attack	Single warhead	In service	Sinpo class	[34]
Pukguksong-3 KN-26 (US designation)	North Korea	Land attack	Single warhead	In service	Sinpo-C class	[35][36]
Pukguksong-4	North Korea	Land attack	MIRV (3 warheads)	Under development	Sinpo-C class	[37]
Pukguksong-5	North Korea	Land attack	MIRV (3 warheads)	Under development	Sinpo-C class	[38]
Pukguksong-6	North Korea	Land attack	MIRV (3 warheads)	Under development	Sinpo-C class Romeo class[39]	[40]
Hwasong-11S	North Korea	Land attack	Single Hwasan-31 tactical nuclear warhead	In service	Sinpo class	[41]
R-11M SS-N-1B (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (tactical)	Conventional (HE) and nuclear (single warhead)	Retired	Zulu IV class Zulu V class Golf I class	[42][43] Submarine variant of the Scud missile.
R-13 SS-N-4 Sark (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (strategic)	Single warhead	Retired	Golf I class Hotel I class	[44][45][46]
R-21 SS-N-5 Sark (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (strategic)	Single warhead	Retired	Golf II class Hotel II class	[47][45][46]
R-27 Zyb SS-N-6 Mod1 Serb (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (strategic)	Single warhead or MRV (3 × warheads)	Retired	Yankee I class	[48][49][50]
R-27U SS-N-6 Mod II Serb (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (strategic)	Single warhead or MRV (3 × warheads)	Retired	Yankee I class	[48][49][50]
R-27U SS-N-6 Mod III Serb (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (strategic)	MRV (3 × warheads)	Retired	Yankee III class	[48][49]
R-27K SS-NX-13 (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Anti-ship	Single manoeuvring warhead	Cancelled	—	[51]
R-29 Vysota SS-N-8 Mod 1 Sawfly (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (strategic)	Single warhead	Retired	Delta I class Delta II class	[52][53]
R-29R SS-N-18 Mod 1 Stingray (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (strategic)	Single warhead	Retired	Delta III class	[54][55]
R-29RK SS-N-18 Mod 2 Stingray (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (strategic)	MIRV (3 × warheads)	Retired	Delta III class	[56][55]
R-29RL SS-N-18 Mod 3 Stingray (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (strategic)	MIRV (7 × warheads)	Retired	Delta III class	[57][55]
R-29RM Shtil SS-N-23 Skiff (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (strategic)	MIRV (4 - 10 × warheads)	In service	Delta III class Delta IV class	[58][59]
R-29RMU2 Sineva SS-N-23A Skiff (NATO designation)	Russia	Land attack (strategic)	MIRV (4 - 10 × warheads)	In service	Delta IV class	[60][61]
R-29RMU2.1 Layner	Russia	Land attack (strategic)	MIRV (4 - 10 × warheads)	In service	Delta IV class	[62]
R-30 Bulava SS-N-32 (NATO designation)	Russia	Land attack (strategic)	MIRV (10 × warheads)	In service	Typhoon class (for testing) Borei class	[63]
R-31 SS-N-17 Snipe (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (strategic)	Single warhead	Retired	Yankee II class	[64]
R-39 Rif SS-N-20 Sturgeon (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (strategic)	MIRV (10 × warheads)	Retired	Typhoon class	[65][66][67]
R-39M Grom SS-N-28 (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (strategic)	MIRV (10 × warheads)	Retired	Typhoon class	[68]
UGM-27A Polaris (A1)	United States	Land attack	1 × W47 Y1	Retired	Ethan Allen class[69] George Washington class[70]	[71][72]
UGM-27B Polaris (A2)	United States	Land attack	1 × W47 Y1, or 1 × W47 Y2	Retired	Ethan Allen class[69] Lafayette class[73]	[74][75][76][77]
UGM-27C Polaris (A3)	United States	Land attack	W58 (3 × MIRV)	Retired	Benjamin Franklin class[78] Ethan Allen class[69] George Washington class[70] James Madison class[79] Lafayette class[73]	[80][81][77][82]
UGM-27C Polaris A-3 (UK variant)	United States United Kingdom	Land attack	ET.317 (3 × same target area)	Retired	Resolution class	[83]
UGM-73A Poseidon (C3)	United States	Land attack	W68 (10 × W68 warheads with Mk3 MIRV)	Retired	Benjamin Franklin class[84] James Madison class[85] Lafayette class[86]	[87][88]
UGM-96A Trident I (C4)	United States	Land attack	W76-0 (up to 8 × W76 warheads with Mk4 MIRV)	Retired	Benjamin Franklin class[84] James Madison class[85] Ohio class[89]	[90][91]
UGM-133A Trident II (D5) (US variant)	United States	Land attack	W76-0 (up to 8 × W76 warheads with Mk4 MIRV), or W88 (up to 8 × W88 warheads with Mk5 MIRV)	In service	Ohio class[92]	[93][94][95]
UGM-133 Trident II (D5) (UK variant)	United States United Kingdom	Land attack	Currently: up to 8 × Holbrook warheads with Mk4/A MIRV.	In service	Vanguard class	[96] American missile with British warheads.
			Future: up to 12 × A21 Astraea warheads with Mk-7 MIRV.		Dreadnought class (future SSBN)
UGM-133 Trident II (D5LE) (US variant)	United States	Land attack	W76-1 (up to 8 × W76 warheads with Mk4A MIRV), or W76-2 (up to 8 × W76 warheads with Mk4A MIRV), or W88 (up to 8 × W88 warheads with Mk5 MIRV), or W93 (under development; up to 7 × W93 warheads with Mk7 MIRV)	In service	Columbia class Ohio class[97]	[98][99][100][101]
UGM-133 Trident II (D5LE2) (US variant)	United States	Land attack	W93 (under development; up to 7 × W93 warheads with Mk7 MIRV)	Under development	Columbia class	[98][102][101]

Close

Conventional cruise missiles

More information Model, Origin ...

Model	Origin	Role	Warhead type	Status	Used with	Notes
Atmaca	Turkey	Anti-ship	HE penetrating warhead	Under development	Reis class (Type 214)	[103]
Harbah	Pakistan	Anti-ship	Frag/Armour-piercing	In service	Agosta-class
BrahMos	India Russia	Land attack / Anti-ship	Conventional (HE, submunitions)	In service	Project 75(I) (in selection) Project 76 (under development) Project 77 (under development)	[104]
Exocet SM39	France	Anti-ship	HE fragmentation warhead	In service	Agosta class Kalvari class (Scorpène variant) Redoutable class (retired) Rubis class Scorpène class Suffren class S-80 Plus class (as an option) Triomphant class	[105]
Exocet SM40	France	Anti-ship	HE fragmentation warhead	Under development	Potentially on: Orka class Scorpène class SNLE 3G Suffren class Triomphant class	[106]
FC/ASW Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon	France Italy United Kingdom	Land attack / Anti-ship	HE warhead	Potential submarine variant	Potentially on: Orka class Scorpène class SNLE 3G SSN-AUKUS class Suffren class U212A class U212 NFS / NFS Evo class	[107] Successor of the Harpoon, Exocet, and MdCN.
GEZGİN	Turkey	Land attack	—	Under development	Reis class (Type 214)	[108]
Haeseong III	South Korea	Land attack	HE warhead	In service	Dosan Ahn Changho class (KSS-III)	[109]
Hyunmoo-3 C	South Korea	Land attack	HE warhead	In service	Son Won-il class (Type 214 / KSS II)	[110]
Jask-2	Iran	Anti-ship	HE warhead	In service	Fateh class Ghadir class	[111][112] Small anti-ship missile
Jask-3	Iran	Anti-ship	HE warhead	Under development	Fateh class Ghadir class	[112]
MdCN Missile de Croisière Naval	France	Land attack	HE warhead	In service	Scorpène class Suffren class	[113][114]
NASM-MR	India	Anti-ship	HE warhead	Under development	Project 75(I) (in selection)	[115]
NSM-SL Naval Strike Missile - Submarine Launched	Norway	Land attack / Anti-ship	HE fragmentation warhead	Under development	S-80 Plus class Type 212CD Orka submarine programme Poland[116]	[117][118]
P-900 Alfa (3M51)	Russia	Land attack / Anti-ship	HE warhead	In service	Yasen class	[119]
Type 12SM-ER	Japan	Anti-ship	HE warhead	Under development	Oyashio-class Sōryū-class Taigei-class	[120][121]
UGM-84 Harpoon	United States	Anti-ship	HE warhead	In service (some variants retire)	Churchill class (retired) Collins class[122] Hai Kun class Hai Lung class (variant of the Zwaardvis class)[123] Harushio class (retired) Jang Bogo class (Type 209 / KSS I) Los Angeles class Oyashio class[124] Papanikolis class (Type 214) Permit class Seawolf class Shishumar class (variant of the Type 209/1500)[125] Sohn Won-yil-class (Type 214) Sōryū class[126] Sturgeon class Swiftsure class[127] (retired) S-80 Plus class Taigei class[128] Tridente class (Type 214) Type 209 Upholder/Victoria class (capacity lost) USS Narwhal (SSN-671) Valiant class[129] Virginia class Yūshio class (retired)	[130][131] Exists in multiple variants, not all are used on all submarines, and some are already retired.
UGM-109 Tomahawk	United States	Land attack / Anti-ship	HE warhead, or submunitions warhead	In service (some variants retired, some in development)	Astute class[132] Blekinge class (option)[133] Los Angeles class Ohio class (SSGN) Orka class Seawolf class Sturgeon class Swiftsure class[132] (retired - not all fitted with missile) S-80 Plus class (option) Trafalgar class[132] (being retired) USS Narwhal (SSN-671) Virginia class	[134][135] Some missiles are launched horizontally (usually exported missiles and the early American ones) through the torpedo tube, some are launched vertically.
Undersea Guided Weapon programme	United Kingdom	Anti-ship	—	Cancelled	Valiant class[136] Swiftsure class[137]	[138]
YJ-82	China	Anti-ship	HE fragmentation warhead	In service	Type 035 Type 039 Type 091 Type 093 Hangor class	[139][140][141] Submarine-launched version of the YJ-8.
YJ-18	China	Anti-ship / anti-radiation	HE fragmentation warhead	In service	Type 093 Type 039 Type 039A Type 041 Type 095	[142][143]
3M54 Klub SS-N-27 Sizzler (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack	HE warhead	In service	Akula class Amur class (option) Borei class Improved Kilo class Lada class Oscar II class Sindhughosh class[144] Yasen class	[145][146] Submarine-launched Version of the Kalibr missile.
3SM Tryffing Super Sonic Strike Missile	Norway Germany	Land attack / Anti-ship	—	Potential submarine variant	Type 212CD class	[147]
—	Japan	Land attack / Anti-ship	—	Under development	Sōryū class Taigei class	[148][149] Developed by MHI, derived from the Type 12 SSM. Study to equip the Japanese submarines with VLS.[150]

Close

Conventional and nuclear-capable cruise missiles

More information Model, Origin ...

Model	Origin	Role	Warhead type	Status	Used with	Notes
Nirbhay NGSLCM Next generation submarine launched cruise missile	India	Land attack / Anti-ship	Conventional (HE, submunitions) and nuclear (single warhead)	Under development	Project 75(I) (in selection) Project 77 (under development) Sindhughosh class (trials)	[151]
P-6 Progress [de] SS-N-3A Shaddock (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Anti-ship	Conventional (4G48 shape charge warhead) and nuclear (single 20 kT warhead)	Retired	Echo II class Juliett class	[152] Submarine variant of the P-35 missile.
P-70 Ametist SS-N-7 Starbright (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Anti-ship	Conventional and nuclear (single warhead)	Retired	Charlie I class	[153][154]
P-120 Malakhit SS-N-9 Siren (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Anti-ship	Conventional and nuclear (single warhead)	Retired	Charlie II class	[155][156][157] Submarine launched variant retired.
P-500 Bazalt SS-N-12 Sandbox (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Anti-ship	Conventional (HE) and nuclear (single warhead)	Retired	Echo II class Juliett class	[158][159] Submarine launched variant retired.
P-1000 Vulkan SS-N-12 Sandbox (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Anti-ship	Conventional (HE) and nuclear (single warhead)	Retired	Echo II class	[160][161] Submarine launched variant retired.
P-700 Granit SS-N-19 Shipwreck (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Anti-ship	Conventional (HE) and nuclear (single warhead)	In service	Oscar I class Oscar II class	[162][163]
P-800 Bolid SS-N-26 Strobile (NATO designation)	Russia	Land attack / Anti-ship	Conventional (HE) and nuclear (single warhead)	In service	Yasen class	[164][165] Submarine-launched Version of the P-800 Oniks.
Popeye Turbo	Israel	Land attack / Anti-ship	Conventional (HE, explosive penetrator) and nuclear (single warhead)	Speculated	Dakar class Dolphin I class Dolphin II class	[166][167][168]
3M-14 Kalibr SS-N-30A (NATO designation)	Russia	Land attack	Conventional (HE) and nuclear (single warhead)	In service	Akula class Amur class (option) Borei class Improved Kilo class Lada class Oscar II class Yasen class	[169] Improved variant of the 3M54 Klub.

Close

Nuclear cruise missiles

More information Model, Origin ...

Model	Origin	Role	Warhead type	Status	Used with	Notes
Babur III	Pakistan	Land attack	1 × warhead	In service	Hashmat class (Agosta 70A) Khalid class (Agosta 90B) Hangor class (future)	[170][171][172]
Pulhwasal-3-31	North Korea	Land attack	1 × warhead (Hwasan-31)	In service	Romeo class	[173][174][175]
P-5 Pyatyorka SS-N-3C Shaddock (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (strategic)	Single warhead	Retired	Echo II class Juliett class Whiskey conversion class	[176]
P-750 Grom [it] SS-NX-27 Scotpion (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack / Anti-ship	Nuclear (single warhead)	Cancelled	Echo II class	[177] Derived from the Kh-80 Meteorit-A.
S-10 Granat SS-N-21 Sampson (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Land attack (strategic)	Single warhead	In service	Akula class Delta class Sierra I class Sierra II class Victor III class Yankee Notch class[178] (retired)	[179][180] Submarine variant of the RK-55 Relief.
SLCM-N	United States	Land attack	—	Under development	Los Angeles class Virginia class	[181]
SSM-N-2 Triton	United States	Land attack	Single warhead (W27)	Cancelled	—	Submarine variant was redundant with Regulus, therefore cancelled.[citation needed]
SSM-N-6 Rigel	United States	Land attack	Single warhead (W5)	Cancelled	—	[182] Submarine variant was redundant with Regulus, therefore cancelled.
SSM-N-8 Regulus	United States	Land attack	Single warhead (W5 or W27)	Retired	Balao class (USS Barbero) Gato class (USS Tunny) Grayback class USS Halibut (SSGN 587)	[183][184][185]
SSM-N-9 Regulus II	United States	Land attack	Single warhead (W27)	Retired	Gato class (USS Tunny) Grayback class USS Halibut (SSGN 587)	[186]
Unknown Israel nuclear missile	Israel	Land attack	1 × warhead	In service	Dakar class Dolphin II class	[187][188][189][190]

Close

Conventional hypersonic missiles

More information Model, Origin ...

Model	Origin	Role	Warhead type	Status	Used with	Notes
BrahMos-II	India Russia	Land attack / Anti-ship	Conventional (HE, submunitions)	Under development	Project 75(I) (in selection) Project 76 (under development) Project 77 (under development)	[191]
3M22 Zircon SS-N-33 (NATO designation)	Russia	Land attack / Anti-ship	Conventional (HE)	In service	Yasen-M class	[192]

Close

Conventional anti-submarine missiles

More information Model, Origin ...

Model	Origin	Role	Warhead type	Status	Used with	Notes
UUM-125B Sea Lance	United States	Anti-submarine	Mark 50 homing torpedo	Cancelled	Los Angeles class Seawolf class	[193]
91RE1 Otvet	Russia	Anti-submarine	Homing torpedo	In service	—	[194][195][196] Part of the Kalibr missile family.
91RE2 Otvet	Russia	Anti-submarine	Homing torpedo	In service	—	[194][195][196] Part of the Kalibr missile family.

Close

Conventional and nuclear capable anti-submarine missiles

More information Model, Origin ...

Model	Origin	Role	Warhead type	Status	Used with	Notes
RPK-2 Vyuga (533 mm) SS-N-15 Starfish (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Anti-submarine	82R torpedo, or 90R nuclear depth charge	In service	Akula class[197] Alfa class Borei class Delta class Tango class Typhoon class	[198][199]
RPK-2 Vyuga (650 mm) SS-N-15 Starfish (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Anti-submarine	83R torpedo, or 86R nuclear depth charge	In service	Akula class[197] Oscar class Sierra I class Sierra II class	[198][199]
RPK-6 Vodopad (533 mm) SS-N-16A Stallion (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Anti-submarine / anti-ship	UMGT -1 torpedo, or 84R or 84RN nuclear depth charge	Akula, Sierra and Typhoon	Akula class[197] Alfa class Borei class Lada class Typhoon class	[200][201][202]
RPK-7 Veter (650 mm) SS-N-16B Stallion (NATO designation)	Soviet Union	Anti-submarine / anti-ship	UMGT -1 torpedo, or 88R nuclear depth charge	Akula, Sierra and Typhoon	Akula class[197] Oscar class Sierra I class Sierra II class	[200][202]

Close

Nuclear anti-submarine missiles

More information Model, Origin ...

Model	Origin	Role	Warhead type	Status	Used with	Notes
UUM-44 SUBROC	United States	Anti-submarine	W55 nuclear depth charge	Retired	Permit class Sturgeon class USS Narwhal (SSN-671)	[203][204]
UUM-125A Sea Lance	United States	Anti-submarine	W89 nuclear depth charge	Cancelled	Los Angeles class Seawolf class	[205]

Close