Top 5 fastest submarines in the world.
High speed is one of the most important features of modern multi-purpose submarines.
During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union competed for global military dominance, including in the field of underwater combat vehicles. Leading American and Soviet engineers and manufacturers invested significant time and money in developing numerous submarine projects with superior features and capabilities.
Here are the five fastest submarines in the world, manufactured by the United States and the Soviet Union:
1. Submarine K-162 Anchar
The K-162 Anchar was the world's fastest submarine, developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. In tests in 1970, it achieved a top speed of 82.78 km/h, a record that remains unbroken to this day. However, a drawback of this submarine was the extremely loud noise it generated at high speeds.
2. Lira-class submarines
Project 705 Lira was one of the most unusual classes of submarines in the Soviet Navy. Equipped with an automated command and control system and a crew of 31, it could reach a maximum speed of 75.93 km/h.
3. Seawolf-class submarines
The Seawolf-class submarine was the fastest submarine ever produced by the United States. During testing, it reached a top speed of 70.38 km/h. It was also one of the most expensive submarine projects in US Navy history, costing up to $3 billion. The high cost led the Pentagon to halt the project and instead develop the Virginia-class submarine.
4. Barracuda-class submarines
The Soviet Union developed the Barracuda-class nuclear-powered submarine to counter enemy strategic submarines and aircraft carriers. It was designed with a maximum speed of 65.1 km/h. The first Barracuda-class submarine was commissioned into the Soviet Navy in 1984.
5. Los Angeles-class submarines
While the fastest Soviet nuclear missile submarines could reach speeds of 51.2 km/h, the Los Angeles-class submarines had a top speed of up to 64.8 km/h. Therefore, it was very difficult for Soviet submarines to escape when pursued by Los Angeles-class submarines after they officially entered service in the 1970s.
