The USS Nautilus (SSN-571) was the first nuclear submarine. This signaled a major change in military submarine technology. Instead of having to surface for fresh air, and to recharge batteries, the Nautilus could stay deep for months. Admiral Hyman G. Rickover was instrumental in ensuring this technological endeavor did not fail. This leap also allowed the submarine to travel under the arctic ice, this is important for the fact that the quickest way to launch a nuclear strike against the USSR is over the poles. Having a ship that only needed to refuel every 10+ years allowed it to loiter and only return to port or land when it’s crew ran out of food.
Works Cited
"USS Nautilus (SSN-571)." National Museum of American History. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June 2009..
"USS Nautilus (SSN-571)." National Museum of American History. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June 2009.
This submarine was probably a major accomplishment for the military and made their jobs a lot easier. Them being able to stay under water for months at a time and not having to come right back up to recharge batteries probably made it a lot less stressful for the marines.
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