Editing Virginia-class submarine (section)

===Photonics masts===
[[File:Manette de Xbox360, USS Colorado.jpg|thumb|A sailor using an [[Xbox 360 controller]] to control the photonic masts of [[USS Colorado (SSN-788)|USS ''Colorado'']] 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-[[image resolution|resolution]] cameras, along with light-intensification and [[thermographic camera|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 mast]]s<ref name= "baker1005" /> located outside the [[pressure hull]]. Signals from the masts' sensors are transmitted through [[optical fiber]] data lines through [[signal processor]]s to the control center.<ref>{{cite web |first=Claudio |last=Paschoa |url = http://www.marinetechnologynews.com/blogs/umm-photonics-mast-for-virginia-class-attack-submarines-700510 |title=UMM Photonics Mast for ''Virginia''-class Attack | work =Marine technology news |date= 11 September 2014 |access-date=26 April 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150402162107/http://www.marinetechnologynews.com/blogs/umm-photonics-mast-for-virginia-class-attack-submarines-700510 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Visual feeds from the masts are displayed on [[liquid-crystal display]] interfaces in the command center.<ref name= "USW W99">{{cite web |last1=Graves |first1=Barbara |last2= Whitman |first2=Edward |date=Winter 1999 |title=''Virginia''-class: America's Next Submarine |url= http://www.public.navy.mil/subfor/underseawarfaremagazine/Issues/Archives/issue_02/virginia_class.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150831001014/http://www.public.navy.mil/subfor/underseawarfaremagazine/Issues/Archives/issue_02/virginia_class.htm |archive-date=31 August 2015 |access-date= 26 April 2015 |publisher=US Navy |volume=1 |number=2}}</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>{{cite web |last=Holian |first=Thomas |date=Fall 2004 |title=Eyes from the Deep: A History of U.S. Navy Submarine Periscopes |url= http://www.public.navy.mil/subfor/underseawarfaremagazine/Issues/Archives/issue_24/eyes.htm |publisher=US Navy |access-date=26 April 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150904031441/http://www.public.navy.mil/subfor/underseawarfaremagazine/Issues/Archives/issue_24/eyes.htm |archive-date=4 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</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>{{cite web |date= October 2012 |title=Affordable Modular Panoramic Photonics Mast |url= http://www.onr.navy.mil/~/media/Files/Fact-Sheets/31/Affordable-Modular-Panoramic-Photonics.ashx |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402125034/http://www.onr.navy.mil/~/media/Files/Fact-Sheets/31/Affordable-Modular-Panoramic-Photonics.ashx |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=26 April 2015 |publisher=Office of Naval Research}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Affordable Modular Panoramic Photonics |url= http://www.onr.navy.mil/en/Media-Center/Fact-Sheets/Affordable-Modular-Panoramic-Photonics-Mast.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150402144708/http://www.onr.navy.mil/en/Media-Center/Fact-Sheets/Affordable-Modular-Panoramic-Photonics-Mast.aspx |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=26 April 2015 |publisher=Office of Naval Research}}</ref>