How US Navy is turning submarines into multi-domain weapons platforms

Submarines, long feared as the deadliest hunters of the sea are set to become even deadlier as they get more tools to take on this task. The US Navy has announced payload launcher integration for future attack submarines. This aim is to shift towards multi-domain capabilities. Undersea drones and advanced payloads are expected to play a central role. The US Navy's Director of Submarine Programs has outlined requirements for launchers capable of supporting a wider variety of payloads than the current fleet. The specifications put forth by the US Navy emphasize the ability of submarines to launch and recover payloads on the go.This development comes as the Navy advances its Next-Generation Attack Submarine programme, SSN(X), alongside modernised Virginia-class boats. The Virginia class, already a cornerstone of US undersea warfare, is being transformed with the addition of the Virginia Payload Module (VPM).