Josyvan , 7/10/2007Submarine, type of warship designed to operate completely underwater for long periods of time. They are designed to submerge and surface, and to maneuver quietly underwater to avoid detection. Submarines can launch a variety of weapons including torpedoes, mines, antiship and land-attack cruise missiles, and submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with nuclear warheads. Modern submarines have a cylindrical hull that tapers at one end and forms a blunt, rounded nose at the other end. How does a submarine work?