[3] SUBROC was one of several weapons recommended for implementation by Project Nobska, a 1956 summer study on submarine warfare.

SUBROC reached Initial Operation Capability (IOC) aboard the attack submarine Permit in 1964.

At a predetermined time in the trajectory, the reentry vehicle (containing the warhead) separated from the solid fuel motor.

The low kiloton[a] W55 nuclear depth bomb dropped into the water and sank rapidly to detonate near its target.

However, SUBROC was less flexible in its use than Ikara or ASROC: since its only payload was a nuclear warhead, it could not be used to provide stand-off fire in a conventional (i.e., non-nuclear) engagement.