Surveillance

Covertness makes the submarine an exceptional maritime surveillance platform.  Submarines can transmit real-time intelligence to the National Command Authority in time to avert or mitigate crises.

Submarines can also collect intelligence of long-term value because an adversary cannot tell when or if a submarine is present.  Therefore the adversary does not alter his operations or exercises, as he would in reactionh to an overt collection platform.

Submarines can conduct surveillance operations across the spectrum of violence.  During peacetime, submarines can detect the buildup of forces which could conduct hostile acts against the United States.  During a crisis, submarines can collect a variety of intelligence of direct value to a theater commander.