Los Angeles Class Attack Submarines Protect Navy Carriers

by Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

(Washington D.C.) U.S. Navy Los Angeles-class submarines were built in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, yet remain critical to the services’ fleet today and remain in service to a larger extent than any other class as of today.

Although the Los Angeles boats will progressively and quickly retire in coming years, they form a key foundation of the Navy’s undersea power force and contain a handful of impactful technologies designed to counter Soviet subs in the Cold War.

Why the Los Angeles-Class Matters

The primary intent or mission for the Los Angeles-class boats, an interesting essay from the Federation of American Scientists describes, is to conduct Carrier Battle Group protection and conduct anti-submarine warfare operations against what was called the Soviet Surface Action Group.

Upgraded Los Angeles submarines, for instance, could fire Mk 48 heavyweight torpedoes, ADCAP Torpedoes, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles.

“The new submarines showed another step improvement in quieting and an increase in operating speed to allow them to support the CVBG(Carrier Battle Group). Escort duties included conducting ASW sweeps hundreds of miles ahead of the CVBG and conducting attacks against the SAG,” the FAS report explains. 

An ability to protect Carrier Battle Groups from several miles ahead undersea seems to be an extremely significant perimeter protection tactic, as it might be positioned to find and even destroy threats to surface ships at safer distances.