Man And The FBM (1960)

‘Man And The FBM,’ produced in 1960 by the US Navy Photographic Center and narrated by John Daly, emphasizes the strategic importance of the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) submarines and their capability to launch UGM-27 Polaris nuclear warhead missiles. Highlighting the submarines’ classification as SSB and SSBN, the film illustrates their role as a crucial component in Cold War nuclear deterrence, representing a fusion of naval power and nuclear technology. It metaphorically describes the endeavor as a ‘new conquest of inner space – the sea,’ linking the ocean’s depths to outer space. Over its 27-minute duration, the film covers various aspects of the weapons program, including its inception, manufacturing, and testing, as well as the recruitment, training, and active duty of the volunteer servicemen required for this innovative project. The film emphasizes the need for a new type of Navy personnel, adept in both naval operations and space-age technology, portraying them as pioneers in a new era of sea power.

We digitized and uploaded this film from the A/V Geeks 16mm Archive. Email us at footage@avgeeks.com if you have questions about the footage and are interested in using it in your project.