The Hotel class is the general NATO classification for a type of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine that was launched by the Soviet Union around 1959. The Soviet designation was Project 658.
Hotel II-class submarine
Ballistic missile submarine
A ballistic missile submarine is a submarine capable of deploying submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with nuclear warheads. These submarines became a major weapon system in the Cold War because of their nuclear deterrence capability. They can fire missiles thousands of kilometers from their targets, and acoustic quieting makes them difficult to detect, thus making them a survivable deterrent in the event of a first strike and a key element of the mutual assured destruction policy of nuclear deterrence.
The deployment of ballistic missile submarines is dominated by the United States and Russia. Smaller numbers are in service with France, the United Kingdom, China and India; North Korea is also suspected to have an experimental submarine that is diesel-electric powered.
USS George Washington – the lead boat of US Navy's first class of Fleet Ballistic Missile submarines. George Washington was the first operational nuclear-powered multi-missile strategic deterrence asset fielded by any navy.
SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia, in silver and gold, awarded by the US Navy to sailors who completed at least one SSBN patrol.
USS Alabama, an Ohio-class (aka Trident) submarine.
A Project 941 (Typhoon-class) nuclear ballistic missile submarine.