U.S. nuclear-powered submarines can go faster than 25 knots, which is approximately 29 miles per hour or 46 kilometers per hour. Nuclear power enables submarines to maintain these speeds for as long as needed, giving U.S. submarines the capability to go anywhere in the world relatively quickly.

Submarine Navigators and Quartermasters use normal navigational charts just like on any other ship, but pay closer attention to the depth of water. Submarines have a computer that knows how fast the ship is going and in what direction. This computer can also sense when the submarine turns; the Quartermaster gives a position and the computer keeps track of where the ship is going. Submarines also have an antenna that can receive signals from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites.