That means a lot of food must be stored on board. Officers and crew eat the same food and are on a five-week cycle menu.
Typical meals range from grilled steaks and chicken to pizza, lasagna, and salads.
Over the years, engineers have used a variety of sources to power submarines. However, it was not until 1955, when nuclear power was first used on the USS Nautilus, that subs were able to patrol beneath the surface for months at a time. Electric batteries, while important for backup power, simply did not last long enough. Diesel engines were powerful, but required a fresh air supply, so were only useful on the surface. Since nuclear reaction does not require an air supply, it has proven to be a superior source of power.