IIRC, the Soviets experimented with SAMs on their subs. Not sure if any made it into production.

There is a SAM designed for subs.

The French are developping two kind of missiles: Polyphem missile subs (but programme is stalled) and a mica antiairmissile launch using the underwater vehicule of SM39 (started last year).

Oh right. I didnt know. So are the Royal Navy or US Navy developing any submarine launched antiaircraft missiles? On a related note of submarines and missiles, ASROC is not widely used anymore I think, so why have anti submarine missiles delivering torpedoes not been adopted more widely?

Actually, according to one of my old reference books, the British, specifically Vickers, experimented with pedestal mounted Blowpipe missiles back in 1972. This system, called SLAM (Sumbarine Launched Airflight Missile) had 6 Blowpipes around a TV camera, and could be raised above a sub's conning tower (the pic I had looks like an old Oberon SSK). Looking at the system, I think the most obvious difficulties faced was in waterproofing the Blowpipes to operational depths, and in guidance, as the Blowpipe was a Command-Line-Of-Sight missile, and had to be 'flown' by its controller. I also know for a fact that a variant of the Russian Kilo SSK carries about 6 SAMS, which I think are SA-19 Iglas. What I have not been able to verify is whether these are pedestal mounted like the Blowpipes, or whether a Kilo will surface its conning tower, and a sailor pops out of a hatch to shoulder fire them.

I remember hearing USN subs used to carry Redeyes. Except yes they'd surface and pop the hatch. Better to hide.

Yes if it involves surfacing and firing from someones shoulder then sounds like its much much better to hide! I was thinking more like a torpedo tube launched SAM or even vertical launch. However vertical launch like Trident or Tomahawk would mean a lot of work on the boat so probably better to go with tube launching like Sub Harpoon. I cannot believe that we have Sub Harpoon in service yet never made the next logical step towards something along the lines of a Sub Seawolf.

Is Seawolf a SARH missile? In that case you'd have guidance problems. You'd need an ARH/IR missile. I think the hardest part would be figuring out a method to lock the missile seeker onto the target before firing. You at least need the missile to go in the general direction of the target. Just seems the possibilites are somewhat limited in that regard.

I think you'll find the pro's on sub launched SAM's are outweighed by the con's. Basically the use of a SAM is a "hail mary" response. As soon as you launch, then every nasty in electronic range is going to be told your last location. Subs are meant to "run silent, run deep". You can't do successful AINT or ELINT if people have discovered where you are. Sub drivers just don't like being exposed, and unless it's a heat seeker, the SAMs developed need guidance - and thats too much time on or near the surface. There were dribble shot cannisters developed. Ie. torpedo sized AUR in a cannister was flooded out. The cannister goes vertical, the missile goes up. Early P-800's were developed to fire like this. (IIRC) FS - if memory serves. POLYPHEM was also going to be a floating AUR cannister?

after all that I forgot to add that there are two other "western" SAM solutions either under development, or trial stage ready.