How Tough are U.S. Navy Submarines? They Hit 'Underwater Mountains' and Survive

What You Need to Know: In January 2005, the USS San Francisco, a Los Angeles-class nuclear submarine, collided with an uncharted undersea mountain near Guam. Traveling at over 30 knots and 525 feet deep, the impact caused significant structural damage, including to the forward ballast tanks and sonar dome.

-Despite the collision, the submarine’s pressure hull and nuclear reactor remained intact, thanks to the U.S. Navy’s SUBSAFE program.

-One crew member was killed, and 98 others were injured...