Virginia-class submarine
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use American English
Template:Infobox ship imageTemplate:Infobox ship imageTemplate:Infobox ship class overviewTemplate:Infobox ship characteristicsThe Virginia class, or the SSN-774 class, is a class of nuclear-powered attack submarine with cruise missile capability 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They are scheduled to replace older Los Angeles-class attack submarines, many of which have already been decommissioned, as well as four cruise missile submarine variants of the Ohio-class submarines.<ref name="Navy Selects Virginia Payload Module Design Concept">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="The Strategic Imperative of Virginia Block VI Submarines">Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="forbes1">Template:Cite web</ref>
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 Template:Sclasss and the acquisition of the future SSN-AUKUS class submarines. If SSN-AUKUS falls behind schedule, Australia will have the option of purchasing two additional Virginia-class submarines.<ref name="AUKUSMar23">Template:Cite press releaseFile:CC-BY icon.svg This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.</ref><ref name="Aust14March23">Template:Cite news</ref>
History
[edit]
The class was developed under the codename Centurion, later renamed New SSN (NSSN).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="SSN-774 Virginia class">Template:Cite web</ref> The "Centurion Study" was initiated in February 1991.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="RandCorp">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="USW W99" /><ref name="submarinesuppliers1">Template:Cite web</ref>
By 2007 approximately 35 million labor hours had been spent to design the Virginia class.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Constructing a single Virginia-class submarine has required around nine million labor hours,<ref name="submarinesuppliers1" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="navalsubleague1">Template:Cite web</ref> and over 4,000 suppliers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Each submarine is projected to make 14–15 deployments during its 33-year service life.<ref name=Butler>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Virginia class was intended in part as a less expensive alternative to the Template:Sclass ($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.<ref name="baker1005" />
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.<ref name="fas1">Template:Cite web</ref> 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."<ref name="orourke1">Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name="fas3">Template:Cite web</ref> 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."<ref name=RL32418>Template:Cite report</ref> 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.
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.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref>
The Virginia-class Program Office received the David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award in 1996, 1998, and 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."<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Two submarine-per-year production resumed on 2 September 2011 with commencement of Template:USS construction.<ref name="ssn787">Template:Cite press release</ref>
On 21 June 2008, the Navy christened Template:USS, 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The first full-duration six-month deployment was successfully carried out from 15 October 2009 to 13 April 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Authorization of full-rate production and the declaration of full operational capability was achieved five months later.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref>
In April 2019, the CRS reported that the Navy estimated the cost of a boat was $2.8 billion.<ref name="CRS2019" /> 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.<ref name="CRS2023" />
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.<ref name="2023-09-15_DN">AUKUS agreement requires submarine production boost, Franchetti says, Bryant Harris, Defense News, 2023-09-15</ref>
Innovations
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The Virginia class incorporates several innovations not found in previous US submarine classes.<ref name="baker1005">Template:Cite book</ref>
Technology barriers
[edit]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.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>
These include:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Propulsion concepts not constrained by a centerline shaft.
- Externally stowed and launched weapons (especially torpedoes).
- Conformal alternatives to the existing spherical sonar array.
- Technologies that eliminate or substantially simplify existing submarine hull, mechanical, and electrical systems.
- Automation to reduce crew workload for standard tasks
Unified Modular Masts
[edit]Virginia-class subs are the first class where all masts share common design – the Universal Modular Mast (UMM) – designed by L3 KEO<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (previously Kollmorgen).<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Shared components have been maximized and some design choices are also shared between different masts. The first UMM was installed on Template:USS, a Los Angeles-class submarine.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The UMM is an integrated system for housing, erecting, and supporting submarine mast-mounted antennas and sensors.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The UMMs are the following:
- Snorkel mast<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Two photonic masts<ref name=":0" />
- Two communication masts<ref name=":0" />
- One or two high-data-rate satellite communication (SATCOM) masts,<ref>Template:Cite speech</ref> built by Raytheon,<ref name= "raytheon1">Template:Cite press release</ref> enabling communication at super high frequency (for downlink) and extremely high frequency (for uplink) range<ref name=":0" /><ref name="raytheon1" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Radar mast (carrying AN/BPS-16 surface search and navigation radar)<ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Electronic warfare mast (AN/BLQ-10 Electronic Support Measures) used to detect, analyze, and identify both radar and communication signals from ships, aircraft, submarines, and land-based transmitters<ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite conference</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Photonics masts
[edit]
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<ref name= "baker1005" /> located outside the pressure hull. Signals from the masts' sensors are transmitted through optical fiber data lines through signal processors to the control center.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Visual feeds from the masts are displayed on liquid-crystal display interfaces in the command center.<ref name= "USW W99">Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" />
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.<ref name=":0" />
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Propulsor
[edit]In contrast to a traditional bladed propeller, the Virginia class uses pump-jet propulsors by BAE Systems,<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> originally developed for the Royal Navy's Template:Sclasss.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The propulsor significantly reduces the risks of cavitation, and allows quieter operation.
Improved sonar systems
[edit]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.<ref name="npg13">Template:Cite web</ref>
- BQQ-10 bow-mounted spherical active/passive sonar array<ref name="npg13" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (Large Aperture Bow (LAB) sonar array from SSN-784 onward)
- A wide aperture lightweight fiber optic sonar array, consisting of three flat panels mounted low along either side of the hull<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref>
- Two high frequency active sonars mounted in the sail and bow. The chin-mounted (below the bow) and sail-mounted high frequency sonars supplement the (spherical/LAB) main sonar array, enabling safer operations in coastal waters, enhancing under-ice navigation, and improving anti-submarine warfare performance.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Low-Cost Conformal Array (LCCA) high frequency sonar, mounted on both sides of the submarine's sail. Provides coverage above and behind the submarine.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Virginia-class submarines are also equipped with a low frequency towed sonar array and a high frequency towed sonar array.<ref name="military.com">Template:Cite web</ref>
- TB-16 or TB-34 fat line tactical towed sonar array<ref name= "autogenerated3">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name= "globalsecurity1">Template:Cite web</ref>
- TB-29 or TB-33 thin line long-range search towed sonar array<ref name="autogenerated3" /><ref name="globalsecurity1" />
Rescue equipment
[edit]- Submarine Escape Immersion Equipment MK11 suit(s) that enable ascent from a sunken submarine (maximum ascent depth Template:Convert)<ref name="npg13" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Lithium hydroxide canisters that remove carbon dioxide from the submarine's atmosphere<ref name="npg13" />
- Submarine Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (SEPIRB)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Virginia Payload Module
[edit]
The Block III submarines have two multipurpose Virginia Payload Tubes (VPT) replacing the dozen single purpose cruise missile launch tubes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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 Template:Sclasss are retired from the fleet.<ref name=RL32418 /><ref name="VPM">Template:Cite web</ref> Initially eight payload tubes/silos were planned<ref name="VPM" /> but this was later rejected in favor of four tubes installed in a Template:Convert long module between the operations compartment and the propulsion spaces.<ref name="VPM" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This additional cost would be offset by reducing the total submarine force by four boats.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In July 2016 General Dynamics was awarded $19 million for VPM development.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In February 2017 General Dynamics was awarded $126 million for long lead time construction of Block V submarines equipped with VPM.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The VPM was designed by General Dynamics Electric Boat;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> however, manufacturing is undertaken by BWX Technologies and BAE Systems.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
High-energy laser weapon
[edit]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.<ref name="pop_mech_laser_weapon">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name= "Sutton_forbes_laser_weapon">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Other improved equipment
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- Optical fiber fly-by-wire Ship Control System replaces electro-hydraulic systems for control surface actuation.
- Command and control system module (CCSM) built by Lockheed Martin.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- The auxiliary generator is powered by a Caterpillar model 3512B V-12 marine diesel engine. This replaced the Fairbanks-Morse diesel engine, which would not fit in VirginiaTemplate:'s auxiliary machinery room.
- Modernized version of the AN/BSY-1 integrated combat system<ref name="SSN-774 Virginia class" /> designated AN/BYG-1 (previously designated CCS Mk2) and built by General Dynamics AIS (previously Raytheon).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> AN/BYG-1 integrates the submarine Tactical Control System (TCS), Payload Control System (PCS) (formerly Weapon Control System (WCS)), and Information Assurance (IA).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- USS California was the first Virginia-class submarine with the advanced electromagnetic signature reduction system built into it, but this system is being retrofitted into the other submarines of the class.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Integral 9-man lock-out diving chamber.<ref name= "aticourses">Template:Cite web</ref>
Specifications
[edit]
- Builders: General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII Newport News Shipbuilding
- Length: Template:Convert [Block V: 460 ft (140.2 m)]
- Beam: Template:Convert
- Displacement: Template:Convert [Block V: Template:Convert
- Payload: 40 weapons, special operations forces, unmanned undersea vehicles, Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) [Block V: 40 Tomahawk cruise missiles]
- Propulsion: S9G nuclear reactor delivering Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite thesis</ref> Nuclear core life estimated at 33 years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Nuclear fuel manufactured by BWX Technologies.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Test depth: greater than Template:Convert, allegedly around Template:Convert.<ref name="aticourses" />
- Speed: Greater than Template:Convert,<ref name="NavyFactFile">Template:Cite web</ref> allegedly up to Template:Convert<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Planned cost: about US$1.65 billion each (based on FY95 dollars, 30-boat class and two boat/year build-rate)
- Actual cost: US$1.5 billion (in 1994 prices), US$2.6 billion (in 2012 prices)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Annual operating cost: $50 million per unit (in 2012 prices)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Crew: 120 enlisted and 14 officers
- Armament: 12 VLS & four torpedo tubes, capable of launching Mark 48 torpedoes, UGM-109 Tactical Tomahawks, Harpoon missiles<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the new advanced mobile mine when it becomes available.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Block V boats will have the additional VPM module which contains four large diameter tubes which can accommodate seven Tomahawk cruise missiles each. This would increase the total number of torpedo-sized weapons (such as Tomahawks) carried by the Virginia-class design from about 37 to about 65—an increase of about 76%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Decoys: Acoustic Device Countermeasure Mk 3/4<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Blocks
[edit]Block I
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Block I includes 4 boats and modular construction techniques were incorporated during construction.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name=Holmander>Template:Cite news</ref> Block I boats were built in 10 modules with each submarine requiring roughly 7 years (84 months) to build.<ref>Template:Cite conference</ref> Template:Clear
Block II
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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).<ref name=RL32418 /><ref name=Butler /> 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.<ref name=Holmander /> Template:Clear
Block III
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Construction of Block III, Template:USS 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).<ref name="RevisedBow">Template:Cite news</ref> The horseshoe-shaped LAB sonar array replaces the spherical main sonar array which has been used on all U.S. Navy SSNs since 1960.<ref name=Butler/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Compared to earlier Virginia-class submarines about 40% of the bow has been redesigned.Template:Clarify<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
South Dakota (SSN-790) will be equipped with a new propulsor,<ref name="seapowermagazine.org">Template:Cite web</ref> possibly the Hybrid Multi-Material Rotor (HMMR),<ref name="darpa.mil">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="summit-group.com">Template:Cite web</ref> developed by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).<ref name="seapowermagazine.org" /> 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.<ref name="seapowermagazine.org" /><ref name="darpa.mil"/><ref name="summit-group.com" /> Template:Clear
Block IV
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Block IV consists of 10 submarines.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The 2013 budget sequestration put this 10-submarine in doubt by budget sequestration that same year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> Template:Clear
Block V
[edit]Block V has 12 boats and may incorporate the Virginia Payload Module (VPM), which would give guided-missile capability when the SSGNs are retired from service.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Virginia Payload Module will be included on Block V submarines starting with the second boat, SSN-803.<ref name="nff1">Template:Cite web</ref> The Block V boats with VPM are expected to triple the capacity of shore targets for each boat.<ref name="forbes1" /> 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.<ref name="GenDyn">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=GDEBarchives>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="HIINN">Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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 Template:Sclasss (at 560 ft; 170 m).<ref name="blockVa">Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Boats in class
[edit]| Name | Hull number | Block | Builder | Ordered | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:USS | SSN-774 | I | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 30 September 1998 | 2 September 1999 | 16 August 2003 | 23 October 2004 | In service<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> |
| Template:USS | SSN-775 | Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA | 12 July 2002 | 9 April 2005 | 9 September 2006 | In service<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-776 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 27 August 2004 | 17 June 2006 | 5 May 2007 | In service<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-777 | Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA | 22 May 2004 | 5 May 2007 | 3 May 2008 | In service<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-778 | II | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 14 August 2003 | 30 April 2007 | 21 February 2008 | 25 October 2008<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> | In service |
| Template:USS | SSN-779 | Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA | 12 April 2008 | 18 January 2009 | 27 March 2010<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> | In service | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-780 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 27 September 2008 | 20 November 2009 | 31 July 2010<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref name="NVR Missouri">Template:Cite web</ref> | In service | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-781 | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA | 1 May 2009 | 14 November 2010 | 29 October 2011<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> | In service | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-782 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 9 June 2010 | 10 December 2011 | 2 June 2012<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> | In service | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-783 | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA | 20 May 2011 | 10 November 2012 | 7 September 2013<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref name="Pioneer Press">Template:Cite news</ref> | In service | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-784 | III | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 14 August 2003 | 11 May 2012<ref name="NVR North Dakota">Template:Cite web</ref> | 15 September 2013<ref name="NVR North Dakota" /> | 25 October 2014<ref name="NVR North Dakota" /> | In service<ref name="NVR North Dakota" /> |
| Template:USS | SSN-785 | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA | 22 December 2008 | 16 March 2013<ref name="NVR John Warner">Template:Cite web</ref> | 10 September 2014<ref name="NVR John Warner" /> | 1 August 2015<ref name="NVR John Warner" /> | In service<ref name="NVR John Warner" /> | |
| Template:USS | SSN-786 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 2 June 2014<ref name="NVR Illinois">Template:Cite web</ref> | 8 August 2015<ref name="NVR Illinois" /> | 29 October 2016<ref name="USNI Illinois Delivered">Template:Cite news</ref> | In service<ref name="USNI Illinois Delivered" /> | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-787 | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA | 22 November 2014<ref name="NVR Washington">Template:Cite web</ref> | 25 March 2016<ref name="NVR Washington" /> | 7 October 2017<ref name="Kitsap Sun">Template:Cite news</ref> | In service | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-788 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 7 March 2015<ref name="NVR Colorado">Template:Cite web</ref> | 29 December 2016 | 17 March 2018<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | In service | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-789 | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA | 16 May 2015<ref name="NVR Indiana">Template:Cite web</ref> | 9 June 2017 | 29 September 2018<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | In service | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-790 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 4 April 2016<ref name="NVR South Dakota">Template:Cite web</ref> | 14 October 2017 | 2 February 2019<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | In service | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-791 | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA | 30 April 2016<ref name="NVR Delaware">Template:Cite web</ref> | 17 December 2018 | 4 April 2020<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | In service | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-792 | IV | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 28 April 2014 | c. February 2017 | 29 March 2019 | 18 April 2020<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> | In service<ref name="NVR Vermont">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:USS | SSN-793 | 8 July 2017<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 25 June 2020 | 28 May 2022<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | In service | |||
| Template:USS | SSN-794 | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA | 16 May 2018<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 8 February 2021 | 25 June 2022<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> | In service<ref name="NVR Montana">Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-795 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 11 May 2018 | 26 August 2021 | 14 October 2023<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | In service<ref name="NVR Hyman G. Rickover">Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-796 | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA | 25 March 2019 | 14 April 2022 | 14 September 2024<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | In service<ref name="NVR New Jersey">Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-797 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 20 August 2019 | 18 June 2023<ref name="USS Iowa Christening">Template:Cite web</ref> | 5 April 2025<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | In service<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-798 | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA | 11 Dec 2020<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 24 February 2024<ref name=nav-tech_USS-Mass_launch>Template:Cite web</ref> | Launched<ref name=nav-tech_USS-Mass_launch/> | |||
| Template:USS | SSN-799 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 24 August 2020 | 6 August 2024<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> | Launched<ref name=":1" /> | |||
| Template:USS | SSN-800 | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA | 19 November 2022 | 7 December 2024<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | Launched<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||
| Template:USS | SSN-801 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 1 September 2021 | Under construction<ref name="NVR Utah">Template:Cite web</ref> | ||||
| Template:USS | SSN-802 | V | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA | 2 December 2017 | 2 August 2023 | Under construction<ref name="NVR Oklahoma">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> | ||
| Template:USS | SSN-803 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 7 December 2022 | Under construction<ref name="NVR Arizona">Template:Cite web</ref> | ||||
| Template:USS | SSN-804 | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA | 2 December 2019 | Under construction<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> | ||||
| Template:USS | SSN-805 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | 17 August 2023 | Under construction<ref name="navy.mil">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> | ||||
| Template:USS | SSN-806 | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA | Under construction<ref name="navy.mil" /> | |||||
| Template:USS | SSN-807 | Under Construction<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> | ||||||
| Template:USS | SSN-808 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | Authorized<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||||
| Template:USS | SSN-809 | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA | Authorized<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> | |||||
| Template:USS | SSN-810 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | Authorized<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> | |||||
| Template:USS | SSN-811 | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA | Authorized<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> | |||||
| Baltimore | SSN-812 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | Announced<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> | |||||
| Atlanta | SSN-813 | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT | Announced<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||||
| Potomac | SSN-814 | VI | Announced<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref> | |||||
| Norfolk | SSN-815 | Announced<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> | ||||||
| Brooklyn | SSN-816 | Announced<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> | ||||||
| Name | Hull number | Block | Builder | Ordered | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
Future acquisitions
[edit]The Navy initially planned to acquire at least 30 Virginia-class submarines,<ref name="jeffhead1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="submarinesuppliers2">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="navalsubleague1"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref name="cbo" /> resulting in 49 submarines in total since 16 were already procured by the end of 2012.<ref name="FAS Weapons">Template:Cite web</ref> Such a long production run seems unlikely but another naval program, the Template:Sclass, is still ongoing even though the first vessel was ordered in 1985.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, other sources believe that production will end with Block V.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In addition, data provided in CBO reports tends to vary considerably compared to earlier editions.<ref name="cbo" />
One Block VI submarine will include an organic ability to employ seabed warfare equipment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics, announced on 5 August 2024 it has been awarded a $1.3 billion undefinitized contract modification allowing Electric Boat to purchase long lead time materials for Virginia Class Block VI submarines.<ref>General Dynamics Electric Boat awarded $1.3 billion contract modification for long lead time material for Virginia-class submarines. defense.gov </ref>
During the Naval Submarine League's annual symposium on 13 November 2024 plans for extending Virginia class to Block VIII - due to SSN(X) delays - were voiced.<ref>Naval Reactors: Virginia-class Will Extend to Block VIII, SSN(X) Start in 2040s</ref>
SSN(X)/Improved Virginia
[edit]Template:Main Initially dubbed Future Attack Submarine<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Improved Virginia class in early Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports,<ref name="cbo" /> 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.<ref name="cbo" /><ref>Template:Cite report</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Potential exports
[edit]On 16 September 2021, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australia had canceled its contract with French shipbuilder Naval Group for 12 Template:Sclass diesel-electric submarines based on the French Template:Sclass2 nuclear submarine that were to replace Australia's diesel-electric Template:Sclasss.<ref name="Pursuenuclear">Template:Cite press release</ref> The AUKUS trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, was announced the same day.<ref name="Announce">Template:Cite press release</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite interview</ref><ref>Template:Cite report</ref> 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.<ref name="Pursuenuclear" /> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="ENNPIA">Template:Cite book</ref>
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".<ref name="AUKUSMar23"/> 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.<ref>Template:OGL-attribution</ref><ref name="FTMar23">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="FTMar23"/>Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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".Template:Sfn
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.<ref name="DefenseNews23">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The third boat to be sold to the RAN in 2038 will be a new Block VII without the Virginia Payload Module.<ref name="DefenseNews23"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The first boat of the SSN-AUKUS class for the RAN is planned to be delivered in the early 2040s.Template:Sfn Five boats are planned to be built with a boat built every three years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> If the SSN-AUKUS build schedule falls behind, the RAN has the option of purchasing up to two additional Virginia-class boats.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Aust14March23" />
See also
[edit]- List of submarine classes of the United States Navy
- List of submarines of the United States Navy
- List of submarine classes in service
- Submarines in the United States Navy
- Cruise missile submarine
- List of current United States Navy ships
References
[edit]Further reading
[edit]- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite journal
- Template:Cite journal
- Template:Cite journal Updates on the boats of the Virginia-class
- Template:Cite journal Q&A on the Virginia-class program since the Winter 2007 article
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite book
- Template:Cite report
Template:Library resources box
External links
[edit]- Naval History & Heritage Command
- VIRGINIA CLASS ATTACK SUBMARINE - SSN
- Template:Usurped
- Virginia Class Submarines Some U.S. Navy Photos of Virginia-class submarines
- Submarine Industrial Base Resources Information about the Submarine Industrial Base
Template:Virginia class submarine Template:Active ship classes of the United States Navy Template:Current SSN Template:US submarine classes after 1945