U.S. Navy Plans Deployment of Sea-Launched Nuclear Cruise Missile for Submarine Fleet by 2034.

On May 8, 2025, the U.S. Navy reaffirmed its commitment to the development of the Sea-Launched Cruise Missile-Nuclear (SLCM-N), aiming for deployment by 2034. This initiative, spearheaded by the Navy's Strategic Systems Programs, seeks to reintroduce a nuclear cruise missile capability aboard attack submarines, a capacity retired in 1992. Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe emphasized the missile's role in providing a credible second-strike option, enhancing strategic deterrence in an era marked by renewed great-power competition. The SLCM-N's development underscores the U.S.'s response to evolving global security challenges and the need for flexible nuclear options.
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The U.S. Navy plans to reintroduce a nuclear-armed, sea-launched cruise missile by 2034 to enhance the strategic deterrence of its submarine fleet. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The SLCM-N (Sea-Launched Cruise Missile-Nuclear) is envisioned as a nuclear-armed cruise missile deployable from Virginia-class attack submarines, offering a stealthy and survivable second-strike capability. Its development addresses the growing anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategies employed by adversaries, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, where fixed land-based systems may be vulnerable. By leveraging the mobility and concealment of submarines, the SLCM-N enhances the U.S.'s ability to penetrate contested environments and maintain credible deterrence.

Strategically, the SLCM-N fills a gap in the U.S. nuclear triad by providing a theater-level nuclear option that does not rely on strategic bombers or intercontinental ballistic missiles. This flexibility is crucial in scenarios where proportional responses are necessary, and it strengthens extended deterrence commitments to allies. Moreover, the missile's deployment could complicate adversaries' defense planning, as distinguishing between conventional and nuclear-armed cruise missiles becomes challenging, potentially enhancing deterrence through ambiguity.

U.S. congress has allocated $2 billion for the development of the SLCM-N and an additional $400 million for its nuclear warhead, reflecting bipartisan support for modernizing the U.S. nuclear arsenal. This investment is part of a broader $150 billion defense reconciliation bill aimed at enhancing strategic capabilities. Comparatively, Russia's development of the 9M730 Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered cruise missile with purported unlimited range, highlights a parallel pursuit of advanced nuclear delivery systems. While the Burevestnik remains in the testing phase with concerns over safety and reliability, the SLCM-N leverages existing technologies and platforms, potentially offering a more feasible and timely enhancement to the U.S. deterrent posture.

The SLCM-N's development occurs in a post-INF Treaty landscape, following the U.S.'s withdrawal in 2019 due to Russian non-compliance. This shift has led to a reevaluation of arms control frameworks and the pursuit of capabilities previously restricted under the treaty. The Trump administration's 2018 Nuclear Posture Review advocated for the SLCM-N to address regional deterrence gaps, a stance that has continued under subsequent administrations amid evolving threats.

Currently, the U.S. Navy’s principal operational cruise missile is the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM), specifically the Block IV and Block V variants. These conventionally armed missiles are launched from surface ships and attack submarines and have been in continuous service since the 1980s, with extensive combat use across multiple theaters. The Tomahawk Block V, introduced into service in 2021, features improved navigation, a new datalink for in-flight retargeting, and the capability to strike moving maritime targets in its Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) variant. The TLAM provides precision strike capabilities at ranges exceeding 1,600 kilometers, reinforcing the Navy’s ability to project power from standoff distances in contested environments.

The Tomahawk’s longevity and adaptability underscore the platform’s value, but it is strictly non-nuclear, following the retirement of the nuclear-armed TLAM-N in the early 1990s. The SLCM-N would effectively reintroduce a nuclear option within this missile category, offering strategic planners a scalable deterrent tool in response to adversaries’ regional nuclear threats, such as those posed by Russia and China. It would restore a level of deterrence absent since the end of the Cold War, complementing conventional cruise missile capabilities while introducing a new layer of strategic complexity.

The SLCM-N represents a strategic adaptation to contemporary security challenges, offering a flexible and survivable nuclear option that reinforces deterrence and assures allies. Its development signals a commitment to maintaining a credible nuclear posture in the face of advancing A2/AD capabilities and underscores the importance of modernizing the U.S. deterrent to address emerging threats in a dynamic global landscape.