Virginia-class submarine

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SSN774.svg
Virginia-class SSN profile
US Navy 040730-N-1234E-002 PCU Virginia (SSN 774) returns to the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard.jpg
USS Virginia underway in July 2004
Class overview
Builders
Operators
Preceded by Seawolf class
Succeeded by SSN(X) class [1]
Cost$2.8 billion per unit (2019); [2] $4.3 billion per unit w/VPM (2023) [3]
Built2000–present
In commission2004–present
Planned66 [3]
On order4
Building10
Completed24
Active22
General characteristics
Type Nuclear attack submarine
Displacement
  • Submerged:
  • Block I–IV: 7,900 t (8,700 short tons)
  • Block V: 10,200 t (11,200 short tons) [4]
Length
  • 377 ft (115 m)
  • 460 ft (140 m) for Block V [4]
Beam34 ft (10 m)
Propulsion
  • 1 × S9G nuclear reactor [5] 280,000  hp (210 MW)
  • 2 × steam turbines 40,000 shp (30 MW)
  • 1 × single shaft pump-jet propulsor [5]
  • 1 × secondary propulsion motor [5]
Speed25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) or over [6]
RangeUnlimited
EnduranceOnly limited by food and maintenance requirements.
Test depthOver 800 ft (240 m) [7]
Complement135 (15 officers; 120 enlisted)
Armament

The Virginia class, or the SSN-774 class, is the newest class of nuclear-powered cruise missile fast attack submarines in service with the United States Navy. The class is designed for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions, including anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering operations. [10] They are scheduled to replace older Los Angeles-class submarines, many of which have already been decommissioned. Virginia-class submarines will be acquired through 2043, and are expected to remain in service until at least 2060, with later submarines expected to operate into the 2070s. [11] [12]

Contents

On 14 March 2023, the trilateral Australian-British-American security pact known as AUKUS announced that the Royal Australian Navy would purchase three Virginia-class submarines as a stopgap measure between the retirement of their conventionally powered Collins-class submarines and the acquisition of the future SSN-AUKUS class submarines. If the SSN-AUKUS fell behind schedule, Australia would have the option of purchasing two additional Virginia-class submarines. [13] [14]

History

Rendering of a Virginia-class attack submarine Virginia class submarine.jpg
Rendering of a Virginia-class attack submarine

The class was developed under the codename Centurion, later renamed New SSN (NSSN). [15] [16] The "Centurion Study" was initiated in February 1991. [17] The Virginia-class submarine was the first US Navy warship with its development coordinated using such 3D visualization technology as CATIA, which comprises computer-aided engineering (CAE), computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and product lifecycle management (PLM). Design problems for Electric Boat—and maintenance problems for the Navy—ensued nonetheless. [18] [19] [20]

By 2007 approximately 35 million labor hours had been spent to design the Virginia class. [21] Constructing a single Virginia-class submarine has required around nine million labor hours, [20] [22] [23] and over 4,000 suppliers. [24] Each submarine is projected to make 14–15 deployments during its 33-year service life. [25]

The Virginia class was intended in part as a less expensive alternative to the Seawolf-class submarine ($1.8 billion vs $2.8 billion), whose production run was canceled after just three boats had been completed. To reduce costs, the Virginia-class submarines use many "commercial off-the-shelf" (COTS) components, especially in their computers and data networks. Improvements in shipbuilding technology have trimmed production costs below the $1.8 billion projected fiscal year 2009 dollars. [26]

In hearings before both House of Representatives and Senate committees, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) and expert witnesses testified that the annual procurement rate of only one Virginia-class boat—rising to two in 2012—would result in excessive unit production costs, yet an insufficient complement of attack submarines. [27] In a 10 March 2005 statement to the House Armed Services Committee, Ronald O'Rourke of the CRS testified that, assuming that the production rate remains as planned, "production economies of scale for submarines would continue to remain limited or poor." [28]

In 2001, Newport News Shipbuilding and the General Dynamics Electric Boat Company built a quarter-scale version of a Virginia-class submarine dubbed Large Scale Vehicle II (LSV II) Cutthroat. The vehicle was designed as an affordable test platform for new technologies. [29] [30]

The Virginia class is built through an industrial arrangement designed to maintain both GD Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding, the only two U.S. shipyards capable of building nuclear-powered submarines. [31] Under the present arrangement, the Newport News facility builds the stern, habitability, machinery spaces, torpedo room, sail, and bow, while Electric Boat builds the engine room and control room. The facilities alternate work on the reactor plant as well as the final assembly, test, outfit, and delivery.

O'Rourke wrote in 2004 that, "Compared to a one-yard strategy, approaches involving two yards may be more expensive but offer potential offsetting benefits." [32] Among the claims of "offsetting benefits" that O'Rourke attributes to supporters of a two-facility construction arrangement is that it "would permit the United States to continue building submarines at one yard even if the other yard is rendered incapable of building submarines permanently or for a sustained period of time by a catastrophic event of some kind", including an enemy attack.

In order to get the submarine's price down to $2 billion per submarine in FY-05 dollars, the Navy instituted a cost-reduction program to shave off approximately $400 million of each submarine's price tag. The project was dubbed "2 for 4 in 12," referring to the Navy's desire to buy two boats for $4 billion in FY-12. Under pressure from Congress, the Navy opted to start buying two boats per year in FY-11, meaning that officials would not be able to get the $2 billion price tag before the service started buying two submarines per year. However, program manager Dave Johnson said at a conference on 19 March 2008 that the program was only $30 million away from achieving the $2 billion price goal, and would reach that target on schedule. [33]

The Virginia-class Program Office received the David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award in 1996, 1998, 2008, "for excelling in four specific award criteria: reducing life-cycle costs; making the acquisition system more efficient, responsive, and timely; integrating defense with the commercial base and practices; and promoting continuous improvement of the acquisition process". [34]

In December 2008, the Navy signed a $14 billion contract with General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman to supply eight submarines. The contract required the delivery of one submarine in each of fiscal 2009 and 2010, and two submarines on each of fiscal 2011, 2012, and 2013. [35] This contract was designed to bring the Navy's Virginia-class fleet to 18 submarines. In December 2010, the United States Congress passed a defense authorization bill that expanded production to two subs per year. [36] Two submarine-per-year production resumed on 2 September 2011 with commencement of Washington (SSN-787) construction. [37]

On 21 June 2008, the Navy christened USS New Hampshire, the first Block II submarine. This boat was delivered eight months ahead of schedule and $54 million under budget. Block II boats are built in four sections, compared to the ten sections of the Block I boats. This enables a cost saving of about $300 million per boat, reducing the overall cost to $2 billion per boat and the construction of two new boats per year. Beginning in 2010, new submarines of this class were to have included a software system that can monitor and reduce their electromagnetic signatures when needed. [38]

The first full-duration six-month deployment was successfully carried out from 15 October 2009 to 13 April 2010. [39] Authorization of full-rate production and the declaration of full operational capability was achieved five months later. [40] In September 2010, it was found that urethane tiles, applied to the hull to damp internal sound and absorb rather than reflect sonar pulses, were falling off while the subs were at sea. [41] Admiral Kevin McCoy announced that the problems with the Mold-in-Place Special Hull Treatment for the early subs had been fixed in 2011, then Minnesota was built and found to have the same problem. [42]

In 2013, just as two-per-year sub construction was supposed to commence, Congress failed to resolve the United States fiscal cliff, forcing the Navy to attempt to "de-obligate" construction funds. [43]

In April 2019, the CRS reported that the Navy estimated the cost of a boat was $2.8 billion. [2] In July 2023, the CRS reported that the Navy estimates at the present production rate of two boats per year that the cost per boat when equipped with the additional Virginia Payload Module (VPM) mid-body section was $4.3 billion. [3]

On 14 September 2023, at a Senate confirmation hearing, Admiral Lisa Franchetti said that the US Navy would have to work with builders to raise the rate of production from 1.2/year to 2.2/year to meet the AUKUS target. [44]

Innovations

USS North Carolina, the last Block I boat, at her commissioning ceremony. Her advanced masts are visible in this image. USS North Carolina (SSN-777) commissioning 2.jpg
USS North Carolina, the last Block I boat, at her commissioning ceremony. Her advanced masts are visible in this image.

The Virginia class incorporates several innovations not found in previous US submarine classes. [26]

Technology barriers

Because of the low rate of Virginia production, the Navy entered into a program with DARPA to overcome technology barriers to lower the cost of attack submarines so that more could be built, to maintain the size of the fleet. [45]

These include: [46]

Unified Modular Masts

Virginia-class subs are the first class where all masts share common design – the Universal Modular Mast (UMM) – designed by L3 KEO [47] (previously Kollmorgen). [48] [49] Shared components have been maximized and some design choices are also shared between different masts. The first UMM was installed on USS Memphis, a Los Angeles-class submarine. [50] The UMM is an integrated system for housing, erecting, and supporting submarine mast-mounted antennas and sensors. [51] The UMMs are the following:

Photonics masts

A sailor using an Xbox 360 controller to control the photonic masts of the USS Colorado (SSN-788) in 2018. It is the first submarine to use this Xbox controller. Manette de Xbox360, USS Colorado.jpg
A sailor using an Xbox 360 controller to control the photonic masts of the USS Colorado (SSN-788) in 2018. It is the first submarine to use this Xbox controller.

The Virginia class is the first to utilize photonic sensors instead of a traditional periscope. The class is equipped with high-resolution cameras, along with light-intensification and infrared sensors, an infrared laser rangefinder, and an integrated Electronic Support Measures (ESM) array. Two redundant sets of these sensors are mounted on two AN/BVS-1 photonics masts [26] located outside the pressure hull. Signals from the masts' sensors are transmitted through optical fiber data lines through signal processors to the control center. [60] Visual feeds from the masts are displayed on liquid-crystal display interfaces in the command center. [19]

The design of earlier optical periscopes required them to penetrate the pressure hull, reducing the structural integrity of the pressure hull as well as increasing the risk of flooding, and also required the submarine's control room to be located directly below the sail/fin. [61] Implementation of photonics masts (which do not penetrate the pressure hull) enabled the submarine control room to be relocated to a position inside the pressure hull which is not necessarily directly below the sail. [52]

The current photonics masts have a visual appearance so different from ordinary periscopes that when the submarine is detected, it can be distinctly identified as a Virginia-class vessel. As a result, current photonic masts will be replaced with Low-Profile Photonics Masts (LPPM) which resemble traditional submarine periscopes more closely. [52]

In the future, a non-rotational Affordable Modular Panoramic Photonics Mast may be fitted, enabling the submarine to obtain a simultaneous 360° view of the sea surface. [62] [63]

Propulsor

In contrast to a traditional bladed propeller, the Virginia class uses pump-jet propulsors by BAE Systems, [64] originally developed for the Royal Navy's Swiftsure-class submarines. [65] The propulsor significantly reduces the risks of cavitation, and allows quieter operation.

Improved sonar systems

Sonar arrays aboard Virginia-class submarines have an "Open System Architecture" (OSA) which enables rapid insertion of new hardware and software as they become available. Hardware upgrades (dubbed Technology Insertions) are usually carried out every four years, while software updates (dubbed Advanced Processor Builds) are carried out every two years. Virginia-class submarines feature several types of sonar arrays. [66]

Virginia-class submarines are also equipped with a low frequency towed sonar array and a high frequency towed sonar array. [72]

Rescue equipment

Virginia Payload Module

USS John Warner at her commissioning ceremony on 1 August 2015, with forward Virginia Payload Tube hatch open 150801-N-EO381-162.JPG
USS John Warner at her commissioning ceremony on 1 August 2015, with forward Virginia Payload Tube hatch open

The Block III submarines have two multipurpose Virginia Payload Tubes (VPT) replacing the dozen single purpose cruise missile launch tubes. [78]

The Block V submarines built from 2019 onward will have an additional Virginia Payload Module (VPM) mid-body section, increasing their overall length. The VPM will add four more VPTs of the same diameter and greater height, located on the centerline, carrying up to seven Tomahawk missiles apiece, that would replace some of the capabilities lost when the SSGN conversion Ohio-class submarines are retired from the fleet. [32] [79] Initially eight payload tubes/silos were planned [79] but this was later rejected in favor of four tubes installed in a 70-foot (21 m) long module between the operations compartment and the propulsion spaces. [79] [80] [81]

The VPM could potentially carry (non-nuclear) medium-range ballistic missiles. Adding the VPM would increase the cost of each submarine by $500 million (2012 prices). [82] This additional cost would be offset by reducing the total submarine force by four boats. [83] More recent reports state that as a cost reduction measure the VPM would carry only Tomahawk SLCM and possibly unmanned undersea vehicles (UUV) with the new price tag now estimated at $360–380 million per boat (in 2010 prices). The VPM launch tubes/silos will reportedly be similar in design to the ones planned for the Ohio class replacement. [84] [85] In July 2016 General Dynamics was awarded $19 million for VPM development. [86] In February 2017 General Dynamics was awarded $126 million for long lead time construction of Block V submarines equipped with VPM. [87]

The VPM was designed by General Dynamics Electric Boat; [88] however, manufacturing is undertaken by BWX Technologies and BAE Systems. [89]

High-energy laser weapon

According to open-source budget documents, Virginia-class submarines are planned to be equipped with a high-energy laser weapon likely to be incorporated into the photonics mast and have a power output of 300–500 kilowatts, based on the submarine's 30 megawatts reactor capacity. [90] [91]

Other improved equipment

Virginia class diesel generator control panel US Navy 040822-N-2653P-344 One of PCU Virginia's (SSN 774) new components is it's diesel generator, a Caterpillar 3512B V-12 Twin-turbo charged engine.jpg
Virginia class diesel generator control panel

Specifications

Lead boat Virginia under construction 774 Virginia construction.jpg
Lead boat Virginia under construction

Blocks

Block I

USS Texas the second Block I boat at her christening ceremony. USS Texas (SSN-775) christening ceremony.jpg
USS Texas the second Block I boat at her christening ceremony.

Block I includes 4 boats and modular construction techniques were incorporated during construction. [115] Earlier submarines (e.g., Los Angeles-class SSNs) were built by assembling the pressure hull and then installing the equipment via cavities in the pressure hull. This required extensive construction activities within the narrow confines of the pressure hull which was time-consuming and dangerous. Modular construction was implemented in an effort to overcome these problems and make the construction process more efficient. Modular construction techniques incorporated during construction include constructing large segments of equipment outside the hull. These segments (dubbed rafts) are then inserted into a hull section (a large segment of the pressure hull). The integrated raft and hull section form a module which, when joined with other modules, forms a Virginia-class submarine. [116] Block I boats were built in 10 modules with each submarine requiring roughly 7 years (84 months) to build. [117]

Block II

USS New Hampshire, the first of the Block II boats US Navy 080621-N-8467N-001 Pre-commissioning Unit New Hampshire (SSN 778) sits moored to the pier at General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard moments before her christening ceremony commenced.jpg
USS New Hampshire, the first of the Block II boats

Block II comprised 6 boats; they were built in four sections rather than ten, saving about $300 million per boat. Block II boats (except the New Hampshire) were also built under a multi-year procurement agreement as opposed to a block-buy contract in Block I, enabling savings in the range of $400 million ($80 million per boat). [32] [25] As a result of improvements in the construction process, New Hampshire (SSN-778) was US$500 million cheaper, required 3.7 million fewer labor hours to build (25% less), thus shortening the construction period by 15 months (20% less) compared to Virginia. [116]

Block III

USS North Dakota, the first of the VPT-equipped Block III Virginia-class submarines. USS North Dakota (SSN-784) at sea in August 2014.JPG
USS North Dakota, the first of the VPT-equipped Block III Virginia-class submarines.

Construction of Block III, SSN-784 through SSN-791 (8 boats), began in 2009. Block III subs feature a revised bow with a Large Aperture Bow (LAB) sonar array, as well as technology from Ohio-class SSGNs (2 VLS tubes each containing 6 missiles). [118] The horseshoe-shaped LAB sonar array replaces the spherical main sonar array which has been used on all U.S. Navy SSNs since 1960. [25] [119] [120] The LAB sonar array is water-backed—as opposed to earlier sonar arrays which were air-backed—and consists of a passive array and a medium-frequency active array. [121] Compared to earlier Virginia-class submarines about 40% of the bow has been redesigned.[ clarification needed ] [122]

South Dakota (SSN-790) will be equipped with a new propulsor, [123] possibly the Hybrid Multi-Material Rotor (HMMR), [124] [125] developed by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). [123] The Hybrid Multi-Material Rotor program is an attempt to improve the design and manufacturing process of submarine propellers with an aim of reducing the cost and weight of the propeller/rotor as well as improving overall acoustic performance. [123] [124] [125]

Block IV

USS Vermont is the first Block IV Virginia-class submarine. USS Vermont (SSN-792) underway on the Thames River at Groton, Connecticut (USA), on 15 October 2020 (201015-N-AY957-202).JPG
USS Vermont is the first Block IV Virginia-class submarine.

Block IV consists of 10 submarines. [126] The 2013 budget sequestration put this 10-submarine in doubt by budget sequestration that same year. [127] The most costly shipbuilding contract in history, worth $17.6 billion, was awarded on 28 April 2014 to General Dynamics Electric Boat. The main improvement over the Block III is the reduction of major maintenance periods from four to three, increasing each boat's total lifetime deployments by one. [128]

The long-lead-time materials contract for SSN-792 was awarded on 17 April 2012, with SSN-793 and SSN-794 following on 28 December 2012. [129] [130] The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $208.6 million contract modification for the second fiscal year (FY) 14 Virginia-class submarine, SSN-793, and two FY 15 submarines, SSN-794 and SSN-795. With this modification, the overall contract is worth $595 million. [131]

Block V

Block V has 10 boats and may incorporate the Virginia Payload Module (VPM), which would give guided-missile capability when the SSGNs are retired from service. [132] The Virginia Payload Module will be included on Block V submarines starting with the second boat, SSN-803. [133] The Block V boats with VPM are expected to triple the capacity of shore targets for each boat. [12] Construction on the first two boats of this block was expected to begin in 2019 but was pushed back to 2020, with contracts for long lead time material for SSN-802 and SSN-803 being awarded to General Dynamics Electric Boat. [134] [135] HII Newport News Shipbuilding was awarded a long-lead materials contract for two Block V boats in 2017, the first Block Vs for the company. [136]

On 2 December 2019, the Navy announced an order for nine new Virginia-class submarines—eight Block Vs and one Block IV—for a total contract price of $22 billion with an option for a tenth boat. [137] The Block V subs were confirmed to have an increased length, from 377 ft (115 m) to 460 ft (140 m), and displacement, from 7,800 tons to 10,200 tons. This would make the Block V the second-longest US submarine, behind only the Ohio-class submarines (at 560 ft; 170 m). [4]

On 22 March 2021, the U.S. Navy added the 10th boat of the Block V series of the Virginia-class attack submarine, issuing a $2.4 billion adjustment on the December 2019 contract. This brings the total cost of the contract with prime contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat to $24.1 billion. The net increase for the contract is $1.89 billion, according to a General Dynamics release. Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding is the partner yard in the program. [138]

Boats in class

NameHull numberBlockBuilderOrderedLaid downLaunchedCommissionedStatus
Virginia SSN-774I General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 30 September 19982 September 199916 August 200323 October 2004In service [139]
Texas SSN-775 Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA 12 July 20029 April 20059 September 2006In service [140]
Hawaii SSN-776General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT27 August 200417 June 20065 May 2007In service [141]
North Carolina SSN-777Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA22 May 20045 May 20073 May 2008In service [142]
New Hampshire SSN-778IIGeneral Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT14 August 200330 April 200721 February 200825 October 2008 [143] In service
New Mexico SSN-779Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA12 April 200818 January 200927 March 2010 [144] In service
Missouri SSN-780General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT27 September 200820 November 200931 July 2010 [145] [146] In service
California SSN-781 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA1 May 200914 November 201029 October 2011 [147] In service
Mississippi SSN-782General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT9 June 201010 December 20112 June 2012 [148] In service
Minnesota SSN-783Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA20 May 201110 November 20127 September 2013 [149] [150] In service
North Dakota SSN-784IIIGeneral Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT14 August 200311 May 2012 [151] 15 September 2013 [151] 25 October 2014 [151] In service [151]
John Warner SSN-785Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA22 December 200816 March 2013 [152] 10 September 2014 [152] 1 August 2015 [152] In service [152]
Illinois SSN-786General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT2 June 2014 [153] 8 August 2015 [153] 29 October 2016 [154] In service [154]
Washington SSN-787Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA22 November 2014 [155] 25 March 2016 [155] 7 October 2017 [156] In service
Colorado SSN-788General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT7 March 2015 [157] 29 December 201617 March 2018 [158] In service
Indiana SSN-789Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA16 May 2015 [159] 9 June 201729 September 2018 [160] In service
South Dakota SSN-790General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT4 April 2016 [161] 14 October 20172 February 2019 [162] In service
Delaware SSN-791Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA30 April 2016 [163] 17 December 20184 April 2020 [164] In service
Vermont SSN-792IVGeneral Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT28 April 2014c. February 201729 March 201918 April 2020 [165] In service [166] [167] [168]
Oregon SSN-7938 July 2017 [169] 25 June 202028 May 2022 [170] In service [166]
Montana SSN-794Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA16 May 2018 [171] 8 February 202125 June 2022 [172] In service [173]
Hyman G. Rickover SSN-795General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT11 May 201826 August 202114 October 2023 [174] In service [175] [176]
New Jersey SSN-796Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA25 March 201914 April 2022Scheduled for 14 September 2024 [177] Launched [178] [179]
Iowa SSN-797General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT20 August 201918 June 2023 [180] Launched [180]
Massachusetts SSN-798Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA11 Dec 2020 [181] 24 February 2024 [182] Launched [182]
Idaho SSN-799General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT24 August 2020Under construction [183]
Arkansas SSN-800Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA19 November 2022Under construction [184]
Utah SSN-801General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT1 September 2021Under construction [185]
Oklahoma SSN-802VHuntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA2 December 20172 August 2023Under construction [186]
Arizona SSN-803General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT7 December 2022Under construction [187]
Barb SSN-804Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA2 December 2019Under construction [188]
Tang SSN-805General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT17 August 2023Under construction [189]
Wahoo SSN-806Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VAUnder construction [189]
Silversides SSN-807Under Construction [190]
John H. Dalton SSN-808General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CTAuthorized [191]
Long Island SSN-809Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VAAnnounced [192]
San Francisco SSN-810General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CTAnnounced [193]
Miami SSN-811Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VAAuthorized [194] [195]
NameHull numberBlockBuilderOrderedLaid downLaunchedCommissionedStatus

Future acquisitions

The Navy plans to acquire at least 30 Virginia-class submarines, [196] [197] however, more recent data provided by the Naval Submarine League (in 2011) and the Congressional Budget Office (in 2012) seems to imply that more than 30 submarines may eventually be built. The Naval Submarine League believes that up to 10 Block V boats will be built. [23] [198] The same source also states that 10 additional submarines could be built after Block V submarines, with 5 in the so-called Block VI and 5 in Block VII, largely due to the delays experienced with the "Improved Virginia". These 20 submarines (10 Block V, 5 Block VI, 5 Block VII) would carry VPM bringing the total number of Virginia-class submarines to 48 (including the 28 submarines in Blocks I, II, III and IV). The CBO in its 2012 report states that 33 Virginia-class submarines will be procured in the 2013–2032 timeframe, [8] resulting in 49 submarines in total since 16 were already procured by the end of 2012. [199] Such a long production run seems unlikely but another naval program, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, is still ongoing even though the first vessel was ordered in 1985. [200] [201] However, other sources believe that production will end with Block V. [202] In addition, data provided in CBO reports tends to vary considerably compared to earlier editions. [8]

One Block VI submarine will include an organic ability to employ seabed warfare equipment. [203]

SSN(X)/Improved Virginia

Initially dubbed Future Attack Submarine [204] and Improved Virginia class in early Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports, [8] the SSN(X) will instead be a largely new design that initially supplements and eventually replaces the Virginia class submarines.

In late 2014, the US Navy began early preparation work on the SSN(X). It was planned that the first submarine would be procured in 2025. However, their introduction (i.e., procurement of the first submarine) has been pushed back to 2033/2034. [8] [205] The long-range shipbuilding plan is for the new SSN to be authorized in 2034, and become operational by 2044 after the last Block VII Virginia is built. Roughly a decade would be spent identifying, designing, and demonstrating new technologies before an analysis of alternatives is issued in 2024. An initial small team has been formed to consult with industry and identify the threat environment and technologies the submarine will need to operate against in the 2050-plus timeframe.

In 2019, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the SSN(X) boats could cost up to $5.5 billion per hull. The current Virginia-class boats cost about $2.8 billion per hull, while the Block V boats with the 80-foot Virginia Payload Module will cost about $3.2 billion. "The Navy indicates that the next-generation attack submarine should be faster, stealthier, and able to carry more torpedoes than the Virginia class, similar to the Seawolf-class submarine. CBO therefore assumed that the SSN(X) would be a Seawolf-sized SSN, which displaces about 9,100 tons when submerged, and would have an all-new design in keeping with the Navy's description of it as a fast, lethal next-generation attack submarine", the CBO wrote. [206]

Potential exports

On 16 September 2021, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australia had canceled its contract with French shipbuilder Naval Group for 12 Attack-class diesel-electric submarines based on the French Barracuda-class nuclear submarine that were to replace Australia's diesel-electric Collins-class submarines. [207] The AUKUS trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, was announced the same day. [208] Under the pact, the US will share nuclear propulsion technology with Australia the same as it has with the UK since 1958 as will the UK. [209] [210] The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) would acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines armed with conventional weapons with basic design and key technologies decided by an 18-month research project. [207] On 22 November 2021, Australia, UK and the US signed the Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information Agreement (ENNPIA) treaty to share classified information about nuclear propulsion. [211] [212]

On 13 March 2023, AUKUS announced that "in the early 2030s, pending Congressional approval, the United States intends to sell Australia three Virginia-class submarines, with the potential to sell up to two more if needed". [13] These submarines will ensure there is no capability gap between when the Collins-class is retired and the introduction of a new class of nuclear-powered submarines the SSN-AUKUS. [213] [214] AUKUS also announced on the same day, the UK's SSNR submarine design will be renamed SSN-AUKUS and be trilaterally developed and built in the UK and in Australia. [214] [215] [216] The SSN-AUKUS class "will have a high degree of commonality" with the Virginia-class, including "sharing elements of the propulsion plant, combat system and weapons". [217]

The first in-service United States Navy Block IV Virginia-class boat is planned to be sold to the RAN in 2032 and the second in-service Block IV in 2035. [218] [219] The third boat to be sold to the RAN in 2038 will be a new Block VII without the Virginia Payload Module. [218] [220] The first boat of the SSN-AUKUS class for the RAN is planned to be delivered in the early 2040s. [215] Five boats are planned to be built with a boat built every three years. [221] [222] If the SSN-AUKUS build schedule falls behind, the RAN has the option of purchasing up to two additional Virginia-class boats. [223] [14]

See also

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<i>Seawolf</i>-class submarine Class of US nuclear attack submarines

The Seawolf class is a class of nuclear-powered, fast attack submarines (SSN) in service with the United States Navy. The class was the intended successor to the Los Angeles class, and design work began in 1983. A fleet of 29 submarines was to be built over a ten-year period, but that was reduced to 12 submarines. The end of the Cold War and budget constraints led to the cancellation of any further additions to the fleet in 1995, leaving the Seawolf class limited to just three boats. This, in turn, led to the design of the smaller Virginia class. The Seawolf class cost about $3 billion per unit, making it the most expensive United States Navy fast attack submarine and second most expensive submarine ever, after the French Triomphant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.

USS <i>Virginia</i> (SSN-774) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS Virginia (SSN-774) is a nuclear powered cruise missile attack submarine and the lead ship of her class, currently serving in the United States Navy (USN). She is the tenth vessel of the Navy to be named for the Commonwealth of Virginia, as well as the second US Navy attack submarine to be named after a state, a pattern that is common throughout her class.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuclear submarine</span> Submarine powered by a nuclear reactor

A nuclear submarine is a submarine powered by a nuclear reactor, but not necessarily nuclear-armed. Nuclear submarines have considerable performance advantages over "conventional" submarines. Nuclear propulsion, being completely independent of air, frees the submarine from the need to surface frequently, as is necessary for conventional submarines. The large amount of power generated by a nuclear reactor allows nuclear submarines to operate at high speed for long periods, and the long interval between refuelings grants a range virtually unlimited, making the only limits on voyage times being imposed by such factors as the need to restock food or other consumables.

USS <i>Minnesota</i> (SSN-783) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS Minnesota (SSN-783) is a nuclear powered fast attack submarine, the 10th of the Virginia-class. She is the third United States Navy vessel to bear the name and the second of two named for the state, while the other was named for the Minnesota River.

USS <i>Delaware</i> (SSN-791) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS Delaware (SSN-791) is a Virginia-class attack submarine built for the United States Navy. The contract to build her was awarded to Huntington Ingalls Industries in partnership with the Electric Boat division of General Dynamics in Newport News, Virginia on 22 December 2008. This boat is the eighth and final of the Block III submarines that feature a revised bow, including some technology from Ohio-class SSGNs. Construction on Delaware began in September 2013. She was christened on 20 October 2018. She was commissioned administratively after the standard commissioning ceremony was cancelled due to public health concerns over the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Delaware was the first ever US ship commissioned while underwater. The official commissioning ceremony occurred 2 April 2022 at the Port of Wilmington, Delaware.

USS <i>John Warner</i> US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS John Warner (SSN-785) is a nuclear powered Virginia-class attack submarine of the United States Navy. She is the first in the class to be named after a person; the first 11 Virginia-class subs were named after states. John Warner was originally to be built by the Electric Boat division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut, but the contract was later transferred to Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding. She is the second of the Block III subs, which have a revised bow and some technology from Ohio-class cruise missile submarines. The vessel supports 40 weapons, special operations forces, unmanned undersea vehicles, and the Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS).

USS <i>Illinois</i> (SSN-786) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS Illinois (SSN-786) is a Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine in the United States Navy. Named for the State of Illinois, she is the third vessel with the name, the previous two being battleships BB-7 and BB-65, which was never completed. She was built by the Electric Boat division of General Dynamics, the third of their Block III variants which feature a revised bow and technology from the converted sub-class of Ohio guided missile submarines (SSGN). The contract for the build was awarded on 22 December 2008 to Huntington Ingalls Industries in partnership with Electric Boat, and construction commenced with the keel laying ceremony on 2 June 2014, at their yard in Groton, Connecticut. First Lady Michelle Obama served as the ship's sponsor, and christened the boat on 10 October 2015. Illinois was launched on 8 August 2015 and completed sea trials on 2 August 2016. She was delivered to the Navy on 27 August 2016 and commissioned in a ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London on 29 October 2016. Then-First Lady Michelle Obama, as the sponsor, attended the ceremony and is considered to be an honorary member of the crew due to her support of military families and her involvement with the Illinois crew and their families.

USS <i>Washington</i> (SSN-787) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS Washington (SSN-787) is a Virginia-class nuclear powered attack submarine of the United States Navy. The contract to build her was awarded to Huntington Ingalls Industries in partnership with the Electric Boat division of General Dynamics in Newport News, Virginia, on 22 December 2008. This boat is the fourth of the Block III submarines which will feature a revised bow, including some technology from Ohio-class SSGNs. Construction began on 2 September 2011 at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. On 13 April 2012, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, announced SSN-787 would be named after the State of Washington, which was celebrated during a naming ceremony in Seattle on 7 February 2013. The Navy christened Washington on 5 March 2016, during a ceremony at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia.

USS <i>Colorado</i> (SSN-788) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS Colorado (SSN-788) is a nuclear powered United States Navy Virginia-class attack submarine, named for the State of Colorado. She is the fifteenth of her class and fifth of the significantly redesigned Block III, including a revised bow and VLS technology from the Ohio class of guided missile submarines. She was constructed by Huntington Ingalls Industries in partnership with the Electric Boat division of General Dynamics in Newport News, Virginia, with the initial contract awarded on 22 December 2008.

USS <i>Indiana</i> (SSN-789) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS Indiana (SSN-789) is a nuclear powered United States Navy Virginia-class attack submarine, named for the State of Indiana. She is the sixteenth of her class and sixth of the significantly redesigned Block III, including a revised bow and VLS technology from the Ohio-class of guided missile submarines. Indiana was constructed by Huntington Ingalls Industries in partnership with the Electric Boat division of General Dynamics in Newport News, Virginia, with the initial contract awarded on 22 December 2008. Her keel was laid on 16 May 2015 and she was launched on 9 June 2017. The boat was christened on 29 April 2017 and sponsored by Diane Donald, wife of Admiral Kirkland H. Donald, USN (ret). She was commissioned on 29 September 2018 at Port Canaveral, Florida.

USS <i>Oregon</i> (SSN-793) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

Oregon is a nuclear powered attack submarine in the United States Navy. She is the fourth vessel to carry the name Oregon, the 33rd state of US, and the 20th Virginia-class submarine. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced her name on 10 October 2014 at a ceremony hosted at the Battleship Oregon Memorial in Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland, Oregon.

USS <i>Vermont</i> (SSN-792) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS Vermont (SSN-792) is a Virginia-class nuclear powered attack submarine in the United States Navy. She is the 19th boat of the class and the third vessel of the Navy to be named for the U.S. state of Vermont. Then Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, announced her name on 18 September 2014.

USS <i>Montana</i> (SSN-794) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

Montana (SSN-794) is a Virginia-class attack submarine of the United States Navy. She honors the U.S. State of Montana. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced the name on 3 September 2015 at a ceremony hosted in Billings, Montana with U.S. Senator Jon Tester.

USS <i>Oklahoma</i> (SSN-802) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

Oklahoma (SSN-802) will be a Virginia-class nuclear powered attack submarine in the United States Navy. She is to be the second vessel named for the state of Oklahoma, and the first to carry the name since the loss of the battleship USS Oklahoma (BB-37) during the attack on Pearl Harbor, which led to the US involvement in World War II. Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly announced the name on 24 December 2019, in a press release. Oklahoma, first of the Virginia-class Block V boats, was authorized for construction on 2 December 2019. Unlike the following Block V boats, Oklahoma will not be equipped with the Virginia Payload Module (VPM), which will instead be fitted first to USS Arizona (SSN-803).

USS <i>Arizona</i> (SSN-803) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

Arizona (SSN-803), a Block V Virginia-class submarine, will be the fourth United States Navy vessel named for the state of Arizona, and the first vessel to carry the name since the loss of the USS Arizona (BB-39) during the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, which pulled the US into World War II. Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly announced the name on 24 December 2019, in a press release. Arizona was authorized for construction on 2 December 2019. Arizona will be the second Block V boat, and the first boat to feature the Virginia Payload Module.

USS <i>Tang</i> (SSN-805) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS Tang (SSN-805) will be a nuclear-powered, Virginia-class attack submarine in the United States Navy. She will also be third United States Navy vessel with the name tang, a large family of tropical fish. Secretary of the Navy Kenneth Braithwaite announced in a 17 November 2020 press release that the submarine will be named USS Tang, in honor of a storied WWII submarine. This is the second of four new Virginia class members named in honor of WWII submarines with very successful combat records. Ordered on 2 December 2019, she is the fourth of the Block V boats, the first boats of the class to include the Virginia Payload Module.

SSN-AUKUS Proposed submarines of the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy

The SSN-AUKUS, also known as the SSN-A, is a planned class of nuclear-powered fleet submarine (SSN) intended to enter service with the United Kingdom's Royal Navy in the late 2030s and Royal Australian Navy in the 2040s. The class will replace the UK's Astute class and Australia's Collins class submarines.

USS <i>John H. Dalton</i> US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS John H. Dalton (SSN-808) will be a nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarine for the United States Navy, the seventh of the Block V attack submarines and 35th overall of the class. She will be the first U.S. Naval vessel named for John Howard Dalton, the 70th Secretary of the Navy and a former submariner who, after graduating with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964, served aboard the attack submarine USS Blueback (SS-581) and the ballistic missile submarine USS John C. Calhoun (SSBN-630).

USS <i>San Francisco</i> (SSN-810) US Navy Virginia-class submarine

USS San Francisco (SSN-810) will be a Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the United States Navy, the ninth of the Block V boats and the 37th overall of her class. She will be the fourth US naval vessel named for San Francisco, California, one of the most densely populated cities in the U.S. The first San Francisco (C-5) was a nineteenth-century cruiser, later converted to a mine-layer, that saw action during the Spanish-American War and World War I, while the second (CA-38) was a heavy cruiser and one of the most decorated ships of World War II. The third, (SSN-711), also an attack submarine, is a Los Angeles-class boat that after decommissioning, became a moored training ship for the Nuclear Power School in South Carolina.

USS <i>Miami</i> (SSN-811) Future US Navy attack submarine

USS Miami (SSN-811) will be a Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the United States Navy, the tenth and last of the Block V boats and the 38th of her class overall.

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Further reading