teardrop hull

A teardrop hull is a submarine hull design which emphasizes hydrodynamic flow above all other factors. Benefits over previous types include increased underwater speed and a smaller acoustic signature, making detection by sonar more difficult. Another advantage was that the entire bow could be used to house a sonar for the submarine's own hunting of opponents; the forward hydroplanes are located aft of the sonar array, or on the conning tower/sail so as not to interfere with the sonar.