U.S. Navy Mulls Adding Air-Defense Missiles to Attack Submarines

The U.S. Navy’s draft notice outlines a plan to equip Virginia-class attack submarines with a modular air-defense missile called the Naval Modular Missile.

In a newly released draft notice, the United States Navy proposes a modular interceptor system named the Naval Modular Missile (NMM) to extend air-defense functions to its submarine fleet. The NMM-ERS variant is intended for Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines, with seven missiles fitting into a single payload module, mirroring the Tomahawk’s storage concept. By giving subs the ability to engage hostile anti-submarine aircraft, the Navy hopes to improve survivability and enable ambushes on high-value airborne targets.

However, the addition would consume valuable internal volume, potentially limiting the number of conventional anti-ship and land-attack weapons a submarine can carry. The service points out that other platforms, such as Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and carrier air wings, already provide dedicated air defense, raising questions about the optimal allocation of limited submarine space. The proposal reflects a broader trend toward modular weapon designs that can be adapted across multiple platforms at reduced cost.