The Skipjack-class submarines were arguably the first truly modern postwar submarines of the U.S. Navy and were built to fight the Russian Navy in a war.
Skipjack-Class Submarine: The Ultimate Guide to a U.S. Navy Legend Built to Fight the Soviet Navy - Submarine technology has come a long way from initial concepts, which were essentially submersible tubs.
Modern submarines are technical marvels, worth billions of dollars, loaded with advanced sonar, amenities, and weaponry.
Of course, technological progress in submarine technology was made incrementally, slowly, especially over the last century – but there were a few breakthrough moments, designs that disproportionately expanded the envelope.
One breakthrough design was the Skipjack-class, built between 1956 and 1961, and in service between 1959 and 1990.
ntroducing the Skipjack-Class
“The Skipjack-class submarines were arguably the first truly modern postwar submarines of the U.S. Navy,” Kyle Mizokami wrote. “Combing two new innovations – a new high-speed hull design and nuclear power – the innovative, fish-shaped subs were the basis of all future American submarines up to the present day.”