Editing Virginia-class submarine (section)

=== Improved sonar systems ===
[[Sonar]] arrays aboard ''Virginia''-class submarines have an "[[Open system (computing)|Open System Architecture]]" (OSA) which enables rapid insertion of new hardware and software as they become available. [[Hardware upgrade]]s (dubbed Technology Insertions) are usually carried out every four years, while [[software update]]s (dubbed Advanced Processor Builds) are carried out every two years. ''Virginia''-class submarines feature several types of sonar arrays.<ref name="npg13">{{cite web |date=2013 |title=US Navy Program Guide 2013 |url= http://www.navy.mil/navydata/policy/seapower/npg13/top-npg13.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160821160828/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/policy/seapower/npg13/top-npg13.pdf |archive-date=21 August 2016 |access-date=26 April 2015 |publisher=US Navy}}</ref>
* BQQ-10 bow-mounted spherical [[active sonar|active]]/[[passive sonar]] array<ref name="npg13" /><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.soltron.co.kr/data/file/tech1_13/990609174_a5GOlHdf_Sonar_Type_Descriptions.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160629031446/http://www.soltron.co.kr/data/file/tech1_13/990609174_a5GOlHdf_Sonar_Type_Descriptions.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2016 |title=APPENDIX C Exercise and Sonar Type Descriptions |date=December 2008 |access-date= 26 April 2015}}</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>{{cite web |url= http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/SubmarineHullArrays/Pages/ |title=Submarine Hull Arrays |publisher= Northrop Grumman |access-date=26 April 2015 }}{{dead link|date=August 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</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>{{cite web
|url= http://www.ultra-os.com/special.php |title=Special Purpose Sonar |publisher= Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems |access-date= 26 April 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150314050256/http://www.ultra-os.com/special.php |archive-date=14 March 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/usw/issue_3/uss_asheville.htm |title = USS ''Asheville'' Leads the Way in High Frequency Sonar
|publisher = Navy|volume = 1 |issue = 3|year = 1999|first1 = Leonard|last1 = Moreavek |first2 = T.J|last2 = Brudner
|access-date = 26 April 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121002042424/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/usw/issue_3/uss_asheville.htm |archive-date = 2 October 2012|url-status = dead}}</ref>
* Low-Cost [[wikt:conformal|Conformal]] Array (LCCA) [[high frequency]] sonar, mounted on both sides of the submarine's sail. Provides coverage above and behind the submarine.<ref>{{cite web |last=Keller |first=John |url= http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2012/03/lockheed-martin-to-provide-navy-submarines-with-360-degree-situational-awareness-sail-mounted-sonar.html |title=Lockheed Martin to provide Navy submarines with 360-degree situational-awareness sail-mounted sonar |publisher=Military & Aerospace Electronics |date=25 March 2012 |access-date=26 April 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150215230732/http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2012/03/lockheed-martin-to-provide-navy-submarines-with-360-degree-situational-awareness-sail-mounted-sonar.html |archive-date=15 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

''Virginia''-class submarines are also equipped with a low frequency [[towed array sonar|towed sonar array]] and a high frequency towed sonar array.<ref name="military.com">{{cite web |url= http://www.military.com/equipment/virginia-class-attack-submarine-ssn |title=Virginia Class Attack Submarine - SSN | work =Military |access-date=26 April 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150507084934/http://www.military.com/equipment/virginia-class-attack-submarine-ssn |archive-date=7 May 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* TB-16 or TB-34 fat line tactical towed sonar array<ref name= "autogenerated3">{{cite web |url= http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2013/pdf/navy/2013arci.pdf |title=Acoustic Rapid Commercial Off‑the‑Shelf (COTS) Insertion (A-RCI) and AN/BYG‑1 Combat Control System |publisher= OSD |access-date=26 April 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220213/http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2013/pdf/navy/2013arci.pdf |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name= "globalsecurity1">{{cite web |url= http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/budget/fy2009/dot-e/navy/2009arci.pdf |title=Acoustic Rapid Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Insertion for Sonar AN/BQQ-10 (V) (A-RCI) |publisher=Global Security |access-date=26 April 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924065357/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/budget/fy2009/dot-e/navy/2009arci.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* TB-29 or TB-33 thin line long-range search towed sonar array<ref name="autogenerated3" /><ref name="globalsecurity1" />