Submarine-launched ballistic missiles or SLBMs are ballistic missiles delivering nuclear weapons that are launched from submarines. Modern variants usually deliver multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) each of which carries a warhead and allows a single launched missile to strike a handful of targets. The first successful tests of a submarine-based launch platform were by German U-boats in World War II using a submarine towed launch platform. These and other early SLBM systems required vessels to be surfaced when they fired missiles, but after World War 2, launch systems were quickly adapted to allow underwater launching. In September of 1955, the Soviets were the first country in the world to launch a ballistic missile from a submarine.

Ballistic missile submarines have been of great strategic importance for the USA and Soviet Union since the Cold War, as they can hide from satellite surveillance and fire their nuclear weapons without much warning, even close to the opponent's coast.

Specific types of SLBMs include:

• M45 SLBM
• M-4 SLBM
• Polaris missile
• Poseidon missile
• Trident missile
• SS-N-4 R-13
• SS-N-5 "Sark",R-21
• SS-N-6 "Serb",R-27
• SS-N-8 "Sawfly",R-29
• SS-N-17 "Snipe",R-31
• SS-N-18 "Stingray", R-29,RSM-50
• R-39 missile, SS-N-20 "Sturgeon", RSM-52
• SS-N-23 "Skiff", R-29RM,RSM-54

Specific types of ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) include:

• Benjamin Franklin class submarine - former, US
• Le Triomphant class submarine - current, France
• Ohio class submarine - current, US
• Resolution class submarine - former, UK
• Vanguard class submarine - current, UK
• List of NATO reporting names for ballistic missile submarines - current and former, Russia

See also

External link

• Estimated Strategic Nuclear Weapons Inventories (September 2004)