SLBMs can be launched from underwater nearly anywhere in the world—and are incredibly difficult to intercept, making them ideal second-strike nuclear weapons.

Nuclear weapons produce frighteningly massive detonations that destroy everything in their path. They've only ever been used once during wartime, and the bombs of today are even deadlier than the one ...

The U.S. is building 12 Columbia-class submarines armed with ballistic missiles to serve as its sea-based nuclear deterrent ...