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Salient. Official Newspaper of Victoria University of Wellington Students Association. Vol 41 No. 1. February 27 1978

What is S.U.B.R.O.C.?

What is S.U.B.R.O.C.?

The Pintado, like the other submarines in the Sturgeon class carries a missile system code named S.U.B.R.O.C. The SUBROC missile is fired from the submerged submarine as is an ordinary torpedo. It then leaves the water and flies under its own power for a distance of up to thirty kilometers. Homing in on its target the missile re-enters the water to explode. The blast from one of these missiles carrying a nuclear warhead will destroy any submarine within a radius of seven to ten kilometers. Every Sturgeon class sub is fitted to carry four to six nuclear armed SUBROC missiles. These missiles are programmed before firing so there is some doubt as to whether they are recallable. Despite the U.S. navy's description of SUBROC missiles as being only for use against 'enemy' submarines, these missiles could be used from sea to land. Coastal cities in particular are possible targets for SUBROC.