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. The design was initially introduced on USS Albacore, and for this reason, is often referred to as an "Albacore hull." USS Barbel was the first operational submarine to feature this hull design, and some form of the design has been present in the operational submarine fleets of almost every navy since that time.

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