How submarines are resupplied after being 800 feet below the ocean surface is fascinating

America’s nuclear submarines are among the most advanced and secretive machines on the planet, but resupplying submarines isn’t exactly an easy job.

After weeks or even months cruising silently beneath the waves, even these stealthy giants need a snack run.

The resupplying process is surprisingly complex and varies widely depending on where the submarine is and what’s available nearby.

As it turns out, getting groceries to a boat 800 feet below the ocean surface is a fascinating logistical feat.

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Resupplying submarines may involve drones

When a submarine is operating far from land and isn’t near another Navy vessel, the only practical resupply method is via cargo plane.

This is usually a C-17 Globemaster, which is a plane so large that it looks like a planet when landing.

Thanks to its long range and in-air refueling capability, a C-17 can reach almost any point on Earth.

Once near the sub’s location, the aircraft performs an airdrop, parachuting supplies into the sea.

The submarine then surfaces briefly to retrieve the cargo, with precise coordination ensuring that the goods don’t end up lost in the ocean.

If another Navy ship is nearby, helicopters are often used for faster, more direct delivery.

These choppers hover over the surfaced submarine and lower cargo directly onto the deck, which is a process known as vertical replenishment.

Multiple helicopters can be used to speed things up, making quick work of large supply missions.

The small crew handling the cargo topside also gets a rare treat: a few minutes of sunshine and fresh air before heading back into the steel depths.

For smaller loads, however, helicopters can be overkill.

In 2020, the Navy made headlines when a drone completed the first successful delivery to a submarine.

This isn’t an ordinary delivery drone either; this specially designed UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) can fly up to five hours and be operated from 60 miles away.

Resupplying may not be needed in the future

When submarines are closer to shore, resupplying gets a little easier.

Helicopters and even small Navy boats can handle the job, with the sub surfacing just long enough to complete the transfer.

And thanks to nuclear power, modern submarines don’t need fuel stops.

They’re increasingly being designed to be self-sufficient, reducing the need for external supply runs altogether.

Whether it’s by plane, helicopter, drone, or boat, resupplying a submarine is definitely an impressive dance of precision, timing, and innovation.

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