Barracuda Class (1921) | Guide 397

The Barracuda class—also known as the first three “V-boats” of the United States Navy—are the focus of today’s guide. Designed in the aftermath of World War I, these submarines represented an ambitious step forward in American undersea warfare, combining long-range capability with experimental design features that set them apart from earlier classes.

In this episode, we explore the origins, technical specifications, operational history, and the challenges these early fleet submarines faced. From their innovative engineering to their service careers between the wars and into World War II, the Barracuda-class boats reveal an important transitional chapter in U.S. naval development.