Underwater speed record

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Most high speed underwater travel is done by military submarines, making it a somewhat difficult subject to research. In 1965 the USS Albacore reported a speed of 33 knots (38 mph) but this was not an official record^[1]. In 1968 there was an incident when a Russian November class submarine tracked an American carrier group travelling at 31 knots (36 mph), this led to the United States Navy to develop the Los Angeles class submarines allegedly capable of 35 knots (40 mph) under the right conditions.

There are established reports and manufacturer's claims that would indicate two (or perhaps more) Russian submarines are capable of speeds exceeding those set by US Navy vessels. The Akula class submarine (Russian word for Shark) class vessel is reportedly capable of travelling submerged at 35 knots (40 mph) and its predecessor, the Alfa class submarine, could reportedly attain short speed bursts of 44.7 knots (51 mph) while submerged. However, due to the rather secretive nature of these vessels, confirmations of these numbers is highly suspect and unlikely.

The British Spearfish torpedo designed to counter high speed Russian submarines, such as the Alfa class submarine, is reputed to have a speed in excess of 70 knots (80 mph). The Russian rocket-powered supercavitating torpedo VA-111 Shkval is reportedly capable of speed in excess of 200 knots (230 mph).

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Extremes of motion