During World War II, the Gato course, as well as its successor, the Balao course, carried much of the responsibility regarding the submarine war within the Pacific. These new fleet submarines were successful ships that became fast, strong, well armed, and suited to the long-range patrols essential to fight in the Pacific. They waged war from the Axis capabilities, amassing a record of devastation and sheer killing energy which was unmatched by some other land or sea attack platform. These new fleet submarines enabled the Navy to shift its submarine doctrine from coastal defense to open ocean assaults on enemy warships and convoys critical to enemy logistical help. This doctrine of forward presence and hit warfare by the submarine continues to be today. .
