Editing Virginia-class submarine (section)

=== Virginia Payload Module ===
[[File:150801-N-EO381-162.JPG|thumb|right|{{USS|John Warner|SSN-785|6}} 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.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://breakingdefense.com/2014/04/navy-sub-program-stumbles-ssn-north-dakota-delayed-by-launch-tube-troubles/ |title=Navy Sub Program Stumbles: SSN North Dakota Delayed By Launch Tube Troubles |last1=Freedberg Jr. |first1=Sydney J. |date=16 April 2014 |work = Breaking Defense |publisher=Breaking Media |access-date=16 April 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140417083219/http://breakingdefense.com/2014/04/navy-sub-program-stumbles-ssn-north-dakota-delayed-by-launch-tube-troubles/ |archive-date=17 April 2014 |url-status= live}}</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 {{sclass|Ohio|submarine|1}}s are retired from the fleet.<ref name=RL32418 /><ref name="VPM">{{cite web |url= http://www.public.navy.mil/subfor/underseawarfaremagazine/issues/archives/issue_47/virginia.html |title=The Virginia Payload Module: A Revolutionary Concept for Attack Submarines |last1=Hasslinger |first1=Karl |last2=Pavlos |first2=John |date=Winter 2012 |issue=47 |publisher=US Navy |access-date=16 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903104754/http://www.public.navy.mil/subfor/underseawarfaremagazine/issues/archives/issue_47/virginia.html |archive-date=3 September 2014 |url-status= dead}}</ref> Initially eight payload tubes/silos were planned<ref name="VPM" /> but this was later rejected in favor of four tubes installed in a {{convert|70|ft|adj=on}} long module between the operations compartment and the propulsion spaces.<ref name="VPM" /><ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.usni.org/2013/11/04/navy-selects-virginia-payload-module-design-concept |title=Navy Selects Virginia Payload Module Design Concept |work=USNI News |publisher=U.S. Naval Institute |date=4 November 2013 |access-date=17 November 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111113057/http://news.usni.org/2013/11/04/navy-selects-virginia-payload-module-design-concept |archive-date=11 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.usni.org/2013/10/24/document-peo-subs-overview-u-s-navy-undersea-programs#more-5177 |title=Document: PEO Subs Overview of U.S. Navy Undersea Programs |work=USNI News |publisher=U.S. Naval Institute |date=24 October 2013 |access-date=17 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111113609/http://news.usni.org/2013/10/24/document-peo-subs-overview-u-s-navy-undersea-programs#more-5177 |archive-date=11 November 2013 |url-status= live}}</ref>

The VPM could potentially carry (non-nuclear) medium-range ballistic missiles. Adding the VPM would increase the cost of each submarine by $500&nbsp;million (2012 prices).<ref>{{cite news |last=Grossman |first=Elaine M. |url=http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/us-senate-panel-limits-navy-effort-add-missiles-attack-submarines/ |title=U.S. Senate Panel Curbs Navy Effort to Add Missiles to Attack Submarines |agency=Global Security Newswire |publisher=Nuclear Threat Initiative |date=1 August 2012 |access-date=6 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203025801/http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/us-senate-panel-limits-navy-effort-add-missiles-attack-submarines/ |archive-date=3 February 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> This additional cost would be offset by reducing the total submarine force by four boats.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cavas |first=Christopher P. |url=http://archive.navytimes.com/article/20130204/NEWS/302040306/Navy-cuts-fleet-goal-to-306-ships |title=Navy cuts fleet goal to 306 ships |work=Navy Times |date=4 February 2013 |access-date=6 February 2013}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</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&nbsp;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>{{cite web |last=Ross |first=Robert T. |url=http://www.ct.gov/oma/cwp/view.asp?a=3422&q=525006 |title=Lower Ohio-Class Replacement Cost Tied To VA-Class Multiyear Deal: Could Achieve 8 To 15 Percent Savings |website=State of Connecticut, Office of Military Affairs |date=17 May 2013 |access-date=26 July 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130925093729/http://www.ct.gov/oma/cwp/view.asp?a=3422&q=525006 |archive-date=25 September 2013 |url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Kris |last= Osborn |url= http://defensetech.org/2014/01/28/navy-electric-boat-test-tube-launched-underwater-vehicle/ |title=Navy, Electric Boat Test Tube-Launched Underwater Vehicle |publisher=Defense Tech |location= Groton, [[Connecticut | CT]] |date=28 January 2014 |access-date=9 February 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140204222103/http://defensetech.org/2014/01/28/navy-electric-boat-test-tube-launched-underwater-vehicle/ |archive-date=4 February 2014 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> In July 2016 General Dynamics was awarded $19&nbsp;million for VPM development.<ref>{{cite web |date=19 July 2016 |title=General Dynamics Awarded $19 Million by U.S. Navy for Virginia Payload Module Development |url= http://www.generaldynamics.com/news/press-releases/2016/07/general-dynamics-awarded-19-million-us-navy-virginia-payload-module |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170302114956/http://www.generaldynamics.com/news/press-releases/2016/07/general-dynamics-awarded-19-million-us-navy-virginia-payload-module |archive-date=2 March 2017 |access-date=1 March 2017}}</ref> In February 2017 General Dynamics was awarded $126&nbsp;million for long lead time construction of Block V submarines equipped with VPM.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 February 2017 |title=General Dynamics Awarded $126 Million by U.S. Navy for Virginia-Class Block V Long Lead Time Material |url= http://www.generaldynamics.com/news/press-releases/2017/02/general-dynamics-awarded-126-million-us-navy-virginia-class-block-v-long |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170302114946/http://www.generaldynamics.com/news/press-releases/2017/02/general-dynamics-awarded-126-million-us-navy-virginia-class-block-v-long |archive-date=2 March 2017 |access-date=1 March 2017}}</ref>

The VPM was designed by General Dynamics Electric Boat;<ref>{{cite web |title=BWX Technologies to Develop Payload Tubes for Virginia-class Submarines |url= http://www.defenseworld.net/news/18058/BWX_Technologies_To_Develop_Payload_Tubes_For_Virginia_class_Submarines |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180630161702/http://www.defenseworld.net/news/18058/BWX_Technologies_To_Develop_Payload_Tubes_For_Virginia_class_Submarines |archive-date=30 June 2018 |access-date= 30 June 2018}}</ref> however, manufacturing is undertaken by BWX Technologies and BAE Systems.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/bae-systems-ramps-up-for-virginia-class-payload-module-launch-tube-production |title=BAE Systems ramps up for Virginia-class submarine payload module launch tube production |access-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180630161908/https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/bae-systems-ramps-up-for-virginia-class-payload-module-launch-tube-production |archive-date=30 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>