As for the stealthyness of submarines: Every other year Sweden puts out a singular submarine against a fully complimented US aircraft carrier.
Every time they do it, the submarine sinks that carrier like it was shooting fish in a barrel.
I mean technically, if North Korea could sneak a re-fuelling tanker to Hawaii, there could be a North Korean submarine off the coast of California right now. Thats the extent of the US submarine tracking capability.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/mil...rea-submarine/
Personally I think perception of capability and competency goes hand in hand in whether or not you believe the moon landing. Suggested superiority breeds complacency.