how deep do nuclear submarines go

Nuclear submarines typically have test diving depths ranging from about 300 meters (roughly 1000 feet) to 900 meters (around 3000 feet), depending on the class and design. For example, the US Virginia-class submarines have test depths of about 500 meters but are believed to be capable of deeper depths up to 800-900 meters. Russian Akula-class subs can reportedly dive up to 1200-1300 meters, while US Ohio-class ballistic missile subs operate around 300-500 meters. Exact crush depths (depths at which the hull would implode) remain classified, but submarines generally operate with a significant safety margin below test or design depths to avoid hull failure from pressure. Military submarines typically do not approach the extreme depths of specialized research submersibles, which can reach the deepest ocean trenches at around 11,000 meters, as their constructions emphasize versatility, stealth, and combat rather than extreme depth endurance. Thus, nuclear submarines generally dive hundreds of meters—commonly around 300 to 900 meters—depending on the class and mission, but classified exact depths and built-in safety margins prevent exact numbers from being public.