Based in New Jersey, Michael T. DiMercurio divides his time between responsibilities as vice president of business development at Power Engineers, Inc., and his pursuits as a writer. A veteran of the US Navy, Michael DiMercurio often pairs his knowledge of nuclear submarines with his interest in military history in his writing.
After the close of World War II, submarines underwent dramatic upgrades in both shape and abilities that changed the face of underwater warfare. Whereas the 1940s-era submarine could submerge only for short periods of time, the crafts of the Cold War period were better suited for long-range battles that occurred entirely under the surface of the water. These fierce machines boasted upgraded hulls, weaponry, and tracking systems that made them highly effective in combat.
Perhaps the most impressive change to submarines prior to the Cold War was the improvement of the power systems that fueled them. In order to support these upgrades, scientists and government officials recognized that nuclear power was the best option. As such, US Congress ordered the creation of the first nuclear submarine in 1951.
Only three years later, these efforts came to fruition in the form of the USS Nautilus, which became the first craft of its kind to be commissioned in the US Navy. This vessel served throughout the Cold War and beyond, leading a number of military operations and testing initiatives over the course of more than 25 years.
