Which statement about deployment cycles is true?

• A. SSNs typically deploy around 6 months; SSBNs cycle ~77 days at sea and 35 days in port
• B. SSNs and SSBNs both deploy for 2 years
• C. SSNs never deploy; SSBNs always at sea
• D. Both have identical deployment durations of 6 months

Answer: (A)

Deployment cycles reflect how each submarine type fulfills its mission: attack submarines need long, capable deployments for a variety of operations, so a typical SSN ride is on the order of about six months away from home. Ballistic-missile submarines, meanwhile, conduct deterrent patrols that spend substantial time at sea but still require periodic periods in port for maintenance, resupply, and crew rest. The pattern described—SSBNs spending a defined stretch at sea (around 77 days) followed by a dedicated port window (about 35 days) between patrols—fits that cycle and shows how the two ship types balance endurance at sea with necessary in-port time between patrols. The other statements conflict with how submarines actually operate: they do deploy, their durations aren’t identical, and SSBNs are not always at sea without breaks.