Submarine Tender (AS)

A submarine tender, US hull symbol AS, is an auxiliary that provides maintenance, repair, resupply, weapons, and crew support to submarines at a forward anchorage, letting the boats operate far from a home base. The tender carries machine shops, spare parts, torpedoes and missiles, medical and berthing facilities, and the technical staff to service reactors and combat systems alongside. The US Navy operates the Emory S. Land class (AS-39 and AS-40). Tenders supported the blue/gold crew swap and rearming that sustain continuous deterrent patrols.