Jump to content

Virginia-class submarine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Virginia-class SSN profile
USS Virginia underway in July 2004
Class overview
Builders
Operators
Preceded bySeawolf class
Succeeded bySSN(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
Active23
General characteristics
TypeNuclear 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]

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 SSN-AUKUS falls behind schedule, Australia will have the option of purchasing two additional Virginia-class submarines.[13][14]

History

[edit]
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

[edit]
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

[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.[45]

These include:[46]

  • 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[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:

  • Snorkel mast[52]
  • Two photonic masts[52]
  • Two communication masts[52]
  • One or two high-data-rate satellite communication (SATCOM) masts,[53] built by Raytheon,[54] enabling communication at super high frequency (for downlink) and extremely high frequency (for uplink) range[52][54][55]
  • Radar mast (carrying AN/BPS-16 surface search and navigation radar)[52][56]
  • 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[52][57][58][59]

Photonics masts

[edit]
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

[edit]

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

[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.[66]

  • BQQ-10 bow-mounted spherical active/passive sonar array[66][67] (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[68]
  • 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.[69][70]
  • Low-Cost Conformal Array (LCCA) high frequency sonar, mounted on both sides of the submarine's sail. Provides coverage above and behind the submarine.[71]

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

  • TB-16 or TB-34 fat line tactical towed sonar array[73][74]
  • TB-29 or TB-33 thin line long-range search towed sonar array[73][74]

Rescue equipment

[edit]

Virginia Payload Module

[edit]
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

[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.[90][91]

Other improved equipment

[edit]
Virginia class diesel generator control panel
  • 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.[92][93]
  • 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 Virginia's auxiliary machinery room.
  • Modernized version of the AN/BSY-1 integrated combat system[16] designated AN/BYG-1 (previously designated CCS Mk2) and built by General Dynamics AIS (previously Raytheon).[94][95] AN/BYG-1 integrates the submarine Tactical Control System (TCS), Payload Control System (PCS) (formerly Weapon Control System (WCS)), and Information Assurance (IA).[96][97][98]
  • 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.[99]
  • Integral 9-man lock-out diving chamber.[100]

Specifications

[edit]
Lead boat Virginia under construction
  • Builders: General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII Newport News Shipbuilding
  • Length: 377 ft (114.91 m) [Block V: 460 ft (140.2 m)]
  • Beam: 34 ft (10.36 m)
  • Displacement: 7,800 long tons (7,900 t) [Block V: 10,200 long tons (10,400 t)
  • 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 40,000 shaft horsepower (30 MW).[101] Nuclear core life estimated at 33 years.[102] Nuclear fuel manufactured by BWX Technologies.[103][104]
  • Test depth: greater than 800 ft (240 m), allegedly around 1,600 feet (490 m).[100]
  • Speed: Greater than 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph),[6] allegedly up to 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph)[105][106][107]
  • 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)[108][109]
  • Annual operating cost: $50 million per unit (in 2012 prices)[110]
  • Crew: 120 enlisted and 14 officers
  • Armament: 12 VLS & four torpedo tubes, capable of launching Mark 48 torpedoes, UGM-109 Tactical Tomahawks, Harpoon missiles[111] and the new advanced mobile mine when it becomes available.[112] 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%.[113]
  • Decoys: Acoustic Device Countermeasure Mk 3/4[114]

Blocks

[edit]

Block I

[edit]
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

[edit]
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

[edit]
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

[edit]
USS Vermont is the first Block IV Virginia class submarine
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

[edit]

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

[edit]
Name Hull number Block Builder Ordered Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
Virginia SSN-774 I General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 30 September 1998 2 September 1999 16 August 2003 23 October 2004 In service[139]
Texas SSN-775 Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA 12 July 2002 9 April 2005 9 September 2006 In service[140]
Hawaii SSN-776 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 27 August 2004 17 June 2006 5 May 2007 In service[141]
North Carolina SSN-777 Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA 22 May 2004 5 May 2007 3 May 2008 In service[142]
New Hampshire SSN-778 II General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 14 August 2003 30 April 2007 21 February 2008 25 October 2008[143] In service
New Mexico SSN-779 Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA 12 April 2008 18 January 2009 27 March 2010[144] In service
Missouri SSN-780 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 27 September 2008 20 November 2009 31 July 2010[145][146] In service
California SSN-781 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA 1 May 2009 14 November 2010 29 October 2011[147] In service
Mississippi SSN-782 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 9 June 2010 10 December 2011 2 June 2012[148] In service
Minnesota SSN-783 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA 20 May 2011 10 November 2012 7 September 2013[149][150] In service
North Dakota SSN-784 III General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 14 August 2003 11 May 2012[151] 15 September 2013[151] 25 October 2014[151] In service[151]
John Warner SSN-785 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA 22 December 2008 16 March 2013[152] 10 September 2014[152] 1 August 2015[152] In service[152]
Illinois SSN-786 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 2 June 2014[153] 8 August 2015[153] 29 October 2016[154] In service[154]
Washington SSN-787 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA 22 November 2014[155] 25 March 2016[155] 7 October 2017[156] In service
Colorado SSN-788 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 7 March 2015[157] 29 December 2016 17 March 2018[158] In service
Indiana SSN-789 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA 16 May 2015[159] 9 June 2017 29 September 2018[160] In service
South Dakota SSN-790 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 4 April 2016[161] 14 October 2017 2 February 2019[162] In service
Delaware SSN-791 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA 30 April 2016[163] 17 December 2018 4 April 2020[164] In service
Vermont SSN-792 IV General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 28 April 2014 c. February 2017 29 March 2019 18 April 2020[165] In service[166]
Oregon SSN-793 8 July 2017[167] 25 June 2020 28 May 2022[168] In service
Montana SSN-794 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA 16 May 2018[169] 8 February 2021 25 June 2022[170] In service[171]
Hyman G. Rickover SSN-795 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 11 May 2018 26 August 2021 14 October 2023[172] In service[173]
New Jersey SSN-796 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA 25 March 2019 14 April 2022 14 September 2024[174] In service[175]
Iowa SSN-797 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 20 August 2019 18 June 2023[176] Scheduled for Spring 2025[177] Launched[176]
Massachusetts SSN-798 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA 11 Dec 2020[178] 24 February 2024[179] Launched[179]
Idaho SSN-799 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 24 August 2020 6 August 2024[180] Launched[180]
Arkansas SSN-800 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA 19 November 2022 Under construction[181]
Utah SSN-801 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 1 September 2021 Under construction[182]
Oklahoma SSN-802 V Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA 2 December 2017 2 August 2023 Under construction[183]
Arizona SSN-803 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 7 December 2022 Under construction[184]
Barb SSN-804 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA 2 December 2019 Under construction[185]
Tang SSN-805 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT 17 August 2023 Under construction[186]
Wahoo SSN-806 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA Under construction[186]
Silversides SSN-807 Under Construction[187]
John H. Dalton SSN-808 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT Authorized[188]
Long Island SSN-809 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA Announced[189]
San Francisco SSN-810 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT Announced[190]
Miami SSN-811 Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News, VA Authorized[191][192]
Baltimore SSN-812 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT Announced[193]
Atlanta SSN-813 General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, CT Announced[194]
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,[195][196] 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][197] 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.[198] 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.[199][200] However, other sources believe that production will end with Block V.[201] 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.[202]

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.[203]

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.[204]

SSN(X)/Improved Virginia

[edit]
Main article: SSN(X)-class submarine

Initially dubbed Future Attack Submarine[205] 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][206] 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.[207]

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 Attack-class diesel-electric submarines based on the French Barracuda-class nuclear submarine that were to replace Australia's diesel-electric Collins-class submarines.[208] The AUKUS trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, was announced the same day.[209] 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.[210][211] 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.[208] 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.[212][213]

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.[214][215] 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.[215][216][217] 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".[218]

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.[219][220] The third boat to be sold to the RAN in 2038 will be a new Block VII without the Virginia Payload Module.[219][221] The first boat of the SSN-AUKUS class for the RAN is planned to be delivered in the early 2040s.[216] Five boats are planned to be built with a boat built every three years.[222][223] If the SSN-AUKUS build schedule falls behind, the RAN has the option of purchasing up to two additional Virginia-class boats.[224][14]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Larson, Caleb (14 December 2021). "Why the US Navy's New SSN(X) Submarine Could Change Everything". Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b O'Rourke, Ronald (16 April 2019). Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congres (Report). CRS Report for Congress, RL32418. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b c O'Rourke, Ronald (6 July 2023). Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congres (Report). CRS Report for Congress, RL32418. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "U.S. Navy Orders New Block of Attack Submarines". maritime-executive.com. 3 December 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Ragheb, Magdi (9 September 2011). Tsvetkov, Pavel (ed.). Nuclear Naval Propulsion. ISBN 978-953-307-474-0.
  6. ^ a b "Attack Submarines - SSN". www.navy.mil. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  7. ^ "How deep can a submarine dive?". navalpost.com. 26 April 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d e "An Analysis of the Navy's Fiscal Year 2013 Shipbuilding Plan" (PDF). Congressional Budget Office. July 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  9. ^ O'Rouke, Ronald (17 May 2017). "Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 May 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017 – via Federation of American Scientists.
  10. ^ "Submarine surge: Why the Navy plans 32 new attack subs by 2034". Warrior Maven. 28 March 2019. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  11. ^ Osborn, Kris (12 February 2014). "Navy Considers Future After Virginia-class Subs". Defensetech.org. Archived from the original on 10 January 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  12. ^ a b Thompson, Loren (6 May 2014). "Five Reasons Virginia-Class Subs Are the Face of Future Warfare". Forbes. Archived from the original on 24 March 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  13. ^ a b Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak; President of the United States of America Joseph R. Biden (14 March 2023). "Joint Leaders Statement on AUKUS". Prime Minister of Australia (Press release). Retrieved 14 March 2023. This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
  14. ^ a b Stewart, Cameron (14 March 2023). "Big gamble, but even bigger benefits in AUKUS subs". The Australian. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  15. ^ "General Dynamics Electric Boat - History". gdeb.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  16. ^ a b "SSN-774 Virginia class". Archived from the original on 10 September 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  17. ^ "Navy Report on New Attack Submarine (Senate - July 21, 1992)". Federation of American Scientists. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  18. ^ Schank, John F.; Ip, Cesse; Lacroix, Frank W.; Murphy, Robert E.; Arena, Mark V.; Kamarck, Kristy N.; Lee, Gordon T. (2011). "RAND Corporation-Virginia Case Study". Learning from Experience: 61–92. ISBN 9780833058966. JSTOR 10.7249/j.ctt3fh0zm.13.
  19. ^ a b Graves, Barbara; Whitman, Edward (Winter 1999). "Virginia-class: America's Next Submarine". US Navy. Archived from the original on 31 August 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  20. ^ a b "Submarine Industrial Base Council". Submarinesuppliers.org. 22 December 2008. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  21. ^ Schank, John F.; Arena, Mark V.; DeLuca, Paul; Riposo, Jessie; Curry, Kimberly; Weeks, Todd; Chiesa, James (2007). Sustaining U.S. Nuclear Submarine Design Capabilities (PDF). National Defense Research Institute. ISBN 978-0-8330-4160-9. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  22. ^ "Naval Submarine League". Navalsubleague.com. 27 September 2012. Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  23. ^ a b "Submarine Road Show". navalsubleague.com. 17 August 2011. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  24. ^ Roberts, Jim (Winter 2011). "Double Vision: Planning to Increase Virginia-Class Production". US Navy. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  25. ^ a b c Butler, John D. (June 2011). "The Sweet Smell of Acquisition Success". U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 18 July 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  26. ^ a b c Baker, A. D. III (1998). Combat Fleets of the World, 1998–1999. USA: Naval Institute Press. p. 1005. ISBN 978-1-55750-111-0.
  27. ^ "Statement of The Honorable Duncan Hunter, Chairman, Subcommittee on Military Procurement, Submarine Force Structure and Modernization". Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network. 27 June 2000. Archived from the original on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  28. ^ "Statement of Ronald O'Rourke Specialist in National Defense Congressional Research Service before the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Projection Forces Hearing on Navy Force Architecture and Ship Construction". 10 March 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 June 2006. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  29. ^ "AUV System Spec Sheet Cutthroat LSV-2 configuration". Antonymous Undersea Vehicle Applications Center. Archived from the original on 5 May 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  30. ^ Fox, David M. (Spring 2001). "Small Subs Provide Big Payoffs for Submarine Stealth". public.navy.mil. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  31. ^ "SSN-774 Virginia-class NSSN New Attack Submarine". Federation of American Scientists. 19 January 2009. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  32. ^ a b c O'Rourke, Ronald (26 March 2015). Navy Virginia (SSN-774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress (PDF) (Report). Congressional Research Service. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  33. ^ "Cost reduction". Retrieved 25 March 2008.[dead link‍]
  34. ^ "Navy's Virginia Class Program Recognized for Acquisition Excellence" (Press release). Washington, DC: Team Submarines Public Affairs. 8 November 2008. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  35. ^ "General Dynamics And Northrop Awarded Submarine Deal". The New York Times. 22 December 2008.[dead link‍]
  36. ^ McDermott, Jennifer (23 December 2010). "House, Senate ok defense bill for 2011; sub plan stays on track". The Day. New London, Connecticut. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  37. ^ "Construction Begins on SSN 787; Navy Transitions to Building Two Virginia Class Submarines Per Year" (Press release). Washington, DC: NAVSEA – Naval Sea Systems Command. 8 September 2011. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  38. ^ Pike, John. "SSN-774 Virginia-class NSSN New Attack Submarine". Global Security. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  39. ^ Communication, Mass. "VARFD.aspx". Public.navy.mil. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  40. ^ "Virginia Class Program Reaches Major Milestone" (Press release). Washington, DC: United States Navy. 10 October 2010. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  41. ^ Hooper, Craig (6 September 2010). "Virginia Class: When does hull coating separation endanger the boat?". Next Navy. Archived from the original on 5 July 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  42. ^ Hooper, Craig (7 November 2013). "The Virginia Peel: Why are $2 Billion Dollar Subs Losing Their Skin?". Next Navy. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  43. ^ Christopher Cavas (2 March 2013). "U.S. Navy Sets Budget-cutting Plans in Motion". Blogs.defensenews.com. Retrieved 22 July 2015.[dead link‍]
  44. ^ AUKUS agreement requires submarine production boost, Franchetti says, Bryant Harris, Defense News, 2023-09-15
  45. ^ O'Rourke, Ronald (23 June 2005). Navy Ship Acquisition: Options for Lower-Cost Ship Designs — Issues for Congress (PDF) (Report). RL32914. Congressional Research Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  46. ^ "Tango Bravo". Strategic Technology Office. DARPA. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  47. ^ "Submarine Imaging". L-3com. Archived from the original on 20 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  48. ^ "L-3 Completes Acquisition of Kollmorgen Electro-Optical" (Press release). L-3com. 7 February 2012. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  49. ^ "L-3 completes $210M Kollmorgen acquisition". Optics.org. SPIE Europe. 8 February 2012. Archived from the original on 4 September 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  50. ^ "Photonics Mast Program" (PDF). L-3 KEO. 20 March 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  51. ^ "U.S. Navy: Vision… Presence… Power". US Navy. 30 July 1998. Archived from the original on 20 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  52. ^ a b c d e f g h "Virginia class Attack Submarine – SSN". Sea forces. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  53. ^ RADM Fages' 2000 Testimony (Speech). Chief of Naval Operations, Submarine Warfare Division. 27 June 2000. Archived from the original on 22 December 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  54. ^ a b "Raytheon to Produce SATCOM System for New Virginia Class Submarine; Contract Valued at $29.4 Million" (Press release). Raytheon. 28 July 2000. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  55. ^ "Factsheets : Advanced Extremely High Frequency System". Air Force Space Command. 25 March 2015. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  56. ^ "AN/BPS-15/16 Radar". Fact File. US Navy. 6 December 2013. Archived from the original on 27 March 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  57. ^ "Ships, Sensors, and Weapons". US Navy. Spring 2001. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  58. ^ Phelps, William (29 October 2002). AN/BLQ-10(V): Submarine Electronic Warfare Support for the 21st Century (PDF). 39th Annual AOC International Symposium and Convention. Nashville, TN: Association of Old Crows. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  59. ^ "AN/BLQ-10 Submarine Electronic Warfare Support System" (PDF). OSD. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  60. ^ Paschoa, Claudio (11 September 2014). "UMM Photonics Mast for Virginia-class Attack". Marine technology news. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  61. ^ Holian, Thomas (Fall 2004). "Eyes from the Deep: A History of U.S. Navy Submarine Periscopes". US Navy. Archived from the original on 4 September 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  62. ^ "Affordable Modular Panoramic Photonics Mast". Office of Naval Research. October 2012. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  63. ^ "Affordable Modular Panoramic Photonics". Office of Naval Research. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  64. ^ "BAE Systems Delivers First U.S. Navy Submarine Propulsor from Louisville Facility, Receives Additional $24.3 Million Contract" (Press release). BAE Systems. 1 June 2012. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  65. ^ Hool, Jack; Nutter, Keith (2003). Damned Un-English Machines, a history of Barrow-built submarines. Tempus. p. 180. ISBN 978-0-7524-2781-2.
  66. ^ a b c d "US Navy Program Guide 2013" (PDF). US Navy. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  67. ^ "APPENDIX C Exercise and Sonar Type Descriptions" (PDF). December 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  68. ^ "Submarine Hull Arrays". Northrop Grumman. Retrieved 26 April 2015.[dead link‍]
  69. ^ "Special Purpose Sonar". Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems. Archived from the original on 14 March 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  70. ^ Moreavek, Leonard; Brudner, T.J (1999). "USS Asheville Leads the Way in High Frequency Sonar". Navy. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  71. ^ Keller, John (25 March 2012). "Lockheed Martin to provide Navy submarines with 360-degree situational-awareness sail-mounted sonar". Military & Aerospace Electronics. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  72. ^ "Virginia Class Attack Submarine - SSN". Military. Archived from the original on 7 May 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  73. ^ a b "Acoustic Rapid Commercial Off‑the‑Shelf (COTS) Insertion (A-RCI) and AN/BYG‑1 Combat Control System" (PDF). OSD. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  74. ^ a b "Acoustic Rapid Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Insertion for Sonar AN/BQQ-10 (V) (A-RCI)" (PDF). Global Security. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  75. ^ Crafty Devil. "Products » RFD Beaufort – SEIE MK11". Survitec Group. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  76. ^ "Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems - Underwater Communications". Ultra Electronics. Archived from the original on 6 May 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  77. ^ SSN 774 Class Guard Book – Disabled Submarine Survival Guide – Aft Escape Trunk (Logistics Escape Truck) (PDF). US Navy. 29 March 2012. Card 6I. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 June 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  78. ^ Freedberg Jr., Sydney J. (16 April 2014). "Navy Sub Program Stumbles: SSN North Dakota Delayed By Launch Tube Troubles". Breaking Defense. Breaking Media. Archived from the original on 17 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  79. ^ a b c Hasslinger, Karl; Pavlos, John (Winter 2012). "The Virginia Payload Module: A Revolutionary Concept for Attack Submarines". US Navy. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  80. ^ "Navy Selects Virginia Payload Module Design Concept". USNI News. U.S. Naval Institute. 4 November 2013. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  81. ^ "Document: PEO Subs Overview of U.S. Navy Undersea Programs". USNI News. U.S. Naval Institute. 24 October 2013. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  82. ^ Grossman, Elaine M. (1 August 2012). "U.S. Senate Panel Curbs Navy Effort to Add Missiles to Attack Submarines". Nuclear Threat Initiative. Global Security Newswire. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  83. ^ Cavas, Christopher P. (4 February 2013). "Navy cuts fleet goal to 306 ships". Navy Times. Retrieved 6 February 2013.[permanent dead link‍]
  84. ^ Ross, Robert T. (17 May 2013). "Lower Ohio-Class Replacement Cost Tied To VA-Class Multiyear Deal: Could Achieve 8 To 15 Percent Savings". State of Connecticut, Office of Military Affairs. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  85. ^ Osborn, Kris (28 January 2014). "Navy, Electric Boat Test Tube-Launched Underwater Vehicle". Groton, CT: Defense Tech. Archived from the original on 4 February 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  86. ^ "General Dynamics Awarded $19 Million by U.S. Navy for Virginia Payload Module Development". 19 July 2016. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  87. ^ "General Dynamics Awarded $126 Million by U.S. Navy for Virginia-Class Block V Long Lead Time Material". 16 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  88. ^ "BWX Technologies to Develop Payload Tubes for Virginia-class Submarines". Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  89. ^ "BAE Systems ramps up for Virginia-class submarine payload module launch tube production". Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  90. ^ "The Navy Is Arming Nuclear Subs With Lasers. No One Knows Why". Popular Mechanics. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  91. ^ "The Navy Is Arming Attack Submarines With High Energy Lasers". Forbes. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  92. ^ "NSSN Virginia Class Attack Submarine". naval-technology. 15 June 2011. Archived from the original on 20 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  93. ^ Kearney, Tom (Spring 2001). "Status Report: PCU Virginia (SSN-774)". US Navy. Archived from the original on 6 June 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  94. ^ "Raytheon Delivers Submarine Combat System to Royal Australian Navy". Raytheon. 30 January 2006. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  95. ^ "General Dynamics To Upgrade Submarine Weapons Control Systems". Defense Industry Daily. 21 July 2009. Archived from the original on 11 May 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  96. ^ "AN/BYG-1 Submarine Tactical Control System (TCS)". General Dynamics. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  97. ^ "General Dynamics continues project to upgrade submarine electronics with COTS computers". Military & Aerospace Electronics. 27 June 2013. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  98. ^ "Progeny Systems to build and upgrade submarine combat system to control weapons on Navy fast-attack boats". Military+Aerospace Electronics. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  99. ^ "GAO-09-326SP" (PDF). Government Accounting Office. March 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 December 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  100. ^ a b "USS Virginia SSN-774-A New Steel Shark at Sea". Applied Technology Institute. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  101. ^ Ragheb, M. (11 November 2010). Nuclear Marine Propulsion (PDF) (Thesis). Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  102. ^ "U.S. Naval Reactors". Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  103. ^ "BWXT Announces $492 Million in Naval Nuclear Reactor Contract Option Awards" (Press release). 26 February 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  104. ^ "Protecting the Future of Freedom across the globe". nuclearfuelservices.com. 11 May 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  105. ^ "HOW AMERICAN, RUSSIAN, AND CHINESE NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINES COMPARE". 2015. Archived from the original on 24 August 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  106. ^ "US Virginia Class vs Russian Yasen Class Submarine Warfare - Who Wins?". 2017. Archived from the original on 23 June 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  107. ^ Kit Bonner, Carolyn Bonner (2007). Modern Warships. Zenith Imprint. ISBN 9781616732608.
  108. ^ Ted Kennedy; John Conyers (20 October 1994). "Lessons of Prior Programs May Reduce New Attack Submarine Cost Increases and Delays" (PDF). Government Accountability Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  109. ^ "Virginia Class Sub Program Wins Acquisition Award". Defenseindustrydaily.com. 20 November 2008. Archived from the original on 1 May 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  110. ^ Cowan, Simon (5 November 2012). "Facts favour nuclear-powered submarines". Archived from the original on 15 November 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  111. ^ "WEST: U.S. Navy Anti-Ship Tomahawk Set for Surface Ships, Subs Starting in 2021". 18 February 2016. Archived from the original on 11 June 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  112. ^ "NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Index: Wahoo (SSN-806)". navsource.org. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  113. ^ "Navy Virginia (SSN774) Class Attack Submarine Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress (updated)" (PDF). fas.org. 31 March 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  114. ^ "Acoustic Countermeasures". Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  115. ^ Patani, Arif (24 September 2012). "Next Generation Ohio-Class". Navy Live. US Navy. Archived from the original on 28 April 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  116. ^ a b Holmander, John D.; Plante, Thomas (Winter 2011). "The Four-Module Build Plan: The Second Decade of Virginia-class Construction Gets Better". Undersea Warfare. No. 43. US Navy. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  117. ^ Johnson, David C.; Drakeley, George M.; Smith, George M. (23 September 2008). Engineering the Solution: Virginia-Class Submarine Cost Reduction (PDF). Engineering the Total Ship (ETS) 2008. Falls Church, Virginia: American Society of Naval Engineers. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  118. ^ "Virginia Block III: The Revised Bow". Defense Industry Daily. 21 December 2008. Archived from the original on 21 June 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2008.
  119. ^ "Submarine Technology Through the Years". Chief of Naval Operations, Submarine Warfare Division, Submarine History. US Navy. 19 July 1997. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  120. ^ Lambert, Paul. "Official USS Tullibee (SSN 597) Web Site - USS Tullibee History". Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  121. ^ "North Dakota (SSN-784)". NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  122. ^ LaGrone, Sam (17 April 2014). "Navy Delays Commissioning of Latest Nuclear Attack Submarine". USNI News. U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  123. ^ a b c "Posted:New Acoustic Quieting to be Tested on Submarine South Dakota1". seapowermagazine.org. 12 August 2016. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  124. ^ a b "Welcome to Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Tactical Technology Office (TTO) Proposers Day" (PDF). darpa.mil. 21 April 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 October 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  125. ^ a b "SEG projects in the Maritime domain". summit-group.com. 2012. Archived from the original on 31 March 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  126. ^ "U.S. Navy Fact Sheet Attack Submarines - SSN". Naval Sea Systems Command. Archived from the original on 22 November 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  127. ^ Freedburg, Sydney (12 September 2013). "Navy To HASC: We're About To Sign Sub Deals We Can't Pay For". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  128. ^ LaGrone, Sam (28 April 2014). "U.S. Navy Awards 'Largest Shipbuilding Contract' in Service History". USNI News. U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  129. ^ "Contracts" (Press release). U.S. Department of Defense. 17 April 2012. Archived from the original on 22 May 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  130. ^ "Contracts" (Press release). U.S. Department of Defense. 28 December 2012. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  131. ^ "General Dynamics Awarded $209 Million for Future Virginia-class Submarines" (Press release). Groton, Connecticut: General Dynamics - Electric Boat. 1 July 2013. Archived from the original on 8 August 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  132. ^ "Virginia Payload Module (VPM)". General Dynamics - Electric Boat. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  133. ^ "Attack Submarines - SSN". 8 October 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  134. ^ "General Dynamics Awarded $126 Million by US Navy for Virginia-class Block V Long Lead Time Material". gd.com. 16 February 2017. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  135. ^ "General Dynamics Electric Boat archives: 26 February 2017 Block V press release". gdeb.com. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  136. ^ "Huntington Ingalls Industries reports first quarter 2017 results". 4 May 2017. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  137. ^ "Popular Mechanics". 3 December 2019.
  138. ^ David Larter (22 March 2021). "US Navy inks deal for a tenth Virginia-class submarine". Defense News.
  139. ^ Piggott, Mark O. (24 October 2004). "Commissioning of USS Virginia Ushers in New Era of Undersea Warfare" (Press release). Norfolk, Virginia: Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  140. ^ Shoffner, Scott (5 September 2006). "Texas Arrives in Galveston" (Press release). Galveston, Texas: Commander, Naval Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  141. ^ Elinson, Ira J. (5 May 2007). "Navy Commissions USS Hawaii" (Press release). Groton, Connecticut: Naval Submarine Base New London Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  142. ^ Zeldis, Jennifer (4 May 2008). "USS North Carolina Joins the Fleet" (Press release). Wilmington, North Carolina: Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  143. ^ Zeldis, Jennifer (26 October 2008). "USS New Hampshire Joins Fleet" (Press release). Kittery, Maine: Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  144. ^ McKnight, Kleynia (27 March 2010). "Submarine New Mexico Joins the Fleet" (Press release). Norfolk, Virginia: Navy Public Affairs Support Element - East. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  145. ^ Merritt, T.H. (1 August 2010). "USS Missouri Joins Commissioned Fleet" (Press release). Groton, Connecticut: Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  146. ^ "USS Missouri". United States Navy. 28 January 2016. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  147. ^ Durie, Eric (29 October 2011). "Navy's Newest Submarine, California Namesake Joins Fleet in Norfolk" (Press release). Norfolk, Virginia: Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  148. ^ Sims, Hayley (4 June 2012). "USS Mississippi Commissioned in Namesake State" (Press release). Pascagoula, Mississippi: Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  149. ^ "Navy to Christen Submarine Minnesota" (Press release). Washington, DC: Department of Defense Public Affairs. 25 October 2012. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  150. ^ Lindberg, Joseph (24 October 2012). "Submarine USS Minnesota to be commissioned Saturday". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on 27 October 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  151. ^ a b c d "USS NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784)". Naval Vessel Register. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  152. ^ a b c d "USS JOHN WARNER (SSN 785)". Naval Vessel Register. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  153. ^ a b "ILLINOIS (SSN 786)". Naval Vessel Register. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  154. ^ a b LaGrone, Sam (29 August 2016). "Attack Boat Illinois Delivers Early to Navy". USNI News. Archived from the original on 30 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  155. ^ a b "WASHINGTON (SSN 787)". Naval Vessel Register. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  156. ^ Stanford, Julianne (7 October 2017). "New USS Washington to be commissioned Saturday". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  157. ^ "COLORADO (SSN 788)". Naval Vessel Register. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  158. ^ "Upcoming US Navy Ship Commissionings". navycommissionings.org. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  159. ^ "INDIANA (SSN 789)". Naval Vessel Register. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  160. ^ "Commissioning - USS Indiana (SSN 789) Commissioning Committee". ussindiana.org. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  161. ^ "SOUTH DAKOTA (SSN 790)". Naval Vessel Register. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  162. ^ "Events | USS SOUTH DAKOTA SSN 790". USS SOUTH DAKOTA (SSN 790). Archived from the original on 8 August 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  163. ^ "DELAWARE (SSN 791)". Naval Vessel Register. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  164. ^ "US Navy has commissioned USS Delaware SSN 791 Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine". navyrecognition.com. 4 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  165. ^ "Navy Celebrates Commissioning of USS Vermont (SSN 792)". United States Navy. Retrieved 31 July 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  166. ^ "VERMONT (SSN 792)". Naval Vessel Register. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  167. ^ "The latest keel laying marks attack submarine construction". usnews.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  168. ^ "Navy commissions USS Oregon (SSN 793)". United States Navy. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  169. ^ Industries, Huntington Ingalls. "Photo Release--Huntington Ingalls Industries Authenticates Keel of Submarine Montana (SSN 794)". Huntington Ingalls Newsroom. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  170. ^ "Navy Commissions USS Montana (SSN 794)". United States Navy. Retrieved 31 July 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  171. ^ "MONTANA (SSN 794)". Naval Vessel Register. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  172. ^ "The Commissioning Ceremony for the USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795) is scheduled for October 14, 2023 in Groton, Connecticut". USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795) Commissioning Committee. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  173. ^ "HYMAN G. RICKOVER (SSN 795)". Naval Vessel Register. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  174. ^ "Navy Commissions USS New Jersey (SSN 796)".
  175. ^ "NEW JERSEY (SSN 796)". Naval Vessel Register. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  176. ^ a b Ozberk, Tayfun (19 June 2023). "U.S. Navy Christens 6th Block IV Virginia-Class Submarine USS Iowa (SSN-797)". Naval News. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  177. ^ "Events". USS Iowa (SSN 797) Commissioning Committee. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  178. ^ Industries, Huntington Ingalls. "Photo Release — Huntington Ingalls Industries Authenticates Keel of Virginia-Class Attack Submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798)". Huntington Ingalls Newsroom. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  179. ^ a b "HII launches latest Virginia SSN, the USS Massachusetts". naval-technology.com. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  180. ^ a b Bahtić, Fatima (15 August 2024). "US Navy launches new Virginia-class submarine USS Idaho". Naval Today. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  181. ^ "ARKANSAS (SSN 800)". Naval Vessel Register. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  182. ^ "UTAH (SSN 801)". Naval Vessel Register. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  183. ^ "OKLAHOMA (SSN 802)". Naval Vessel Register. Retrieved 18 April 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  184. ^ "ARIZONA (SSN 803)". Naval Vessel Register. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  185. ^ "Under construction". 2 September 2020.
  186. ^ a b "Under construction". Navy.mil. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  187. ^ "Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite - Growing the Fleet". YouTube. 15 January 2021. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.
  188. ^ "Authorized for US Navy construction". Navy.mil. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  189. ^ "New submarine to be named USS Long Island, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro says". cbsnews.com (Press release). 25 May 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  190. ^ "SECNAV Del Toro Names Future Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine USS San Francisco (SSN 810)" (Press release). United States Navy. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  191. ^ "SSN 811". nvr.navy.mil. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  192. ^ "SECNAV Del Toro Names Future Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine USS Miami (SSN 811) with Gloria Estefan as Sponsor" (Press release). United States Navy. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  193. ^ "SECNAV Del Toro Names Future Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine USS Baltimore (SSN 812)" (Press release). United States Navy. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  194. ^ "Navy Awards GD Electric Boat $1.28B in Contracts While Service Continues Sub Negotiations". United States Naval Institute. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  195. ^ "US Navy 21st Century - SSN Virginia Class". Jeffhead.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  196. ^ "Submarine Industrial Base Council". Submarinesuppliers.org. 22 December 2008. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  197. ^ "Naval Submarine League". Navalsubleague.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  198. ^ "Funding For U.S. Navy Subs Runs Deep". Aviation Week. 10 April 2013. Archived from the original on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  199. ^ O'Rourke, Ronald (22 October 2013). "Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  200. ^ McCullough III, Bernard (January 2013). "Now Hear This - The Right Destroyer at the Right Time". U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  201. ^ Pike, John. "SSN-774 Virginia-class NSSN New Attack Submarine". Globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  202. ^ Eckstein, Megan (18 April 2023). "Navy New Virginia Block VI Virginia Attack Boat Will Inform SSN(X)". thedrive.com. TheDrive. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  203. ^ General Dynamics Electric Boat awarded $1.3 billion contract modification for long lead time material for Virginia-class submarines. defense.gov
  204. ^ Naval Reactors: Virginia-class Will Extend to Block VIII, SSN(X) Start in 2040s
  205. ^ "Future Attack Submarine". Federation of American Scientists. Archived from the original on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  206. ^ An Analysis of the Navy's Fiscal Year 2011 Shipbuilding Plan (PDF) (Report). Congressional Budget Office. May 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  207. ^ LaGore, Sam (22 November 2021). "Next Generation SSN(X) Attack Sub 'Is Going to Carry a Lot of Torpedoes,' Says Admiral". USNI News. U.S. Naval Institute. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  208. ^ a b Prime Minister; Minister for Defence; Minister for Foreign Affairs; Minister for Women (16 September 2021). "Australia to pursue Nuclear-powered Submarines through new Trilateral Enhanced Security Partnership". Prime Minister of Australia (Press release). Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  209. ^ Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison; Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson; President of the United States of America Joseph R. Biden (16 September 2021). "Joint Leaders Statement on AUKUS". Prime Minister of Australia (Press release). Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  210. ^ Morrison, Prime Minister Scott (16 September 2021). "Interview with Jane Marwick, 6PR". 6PR (Interview). Interviewed by Jane Marwick. Perth, Perth, Western Australia. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  211. ^ Ritchie, Dr Nick (February 2015). The UK Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programme and Highly Enriched Uranium (PDF) (Report). University of York, UK. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  212. ^ "Australia, UK and USA Formally Sign Agreement On Nuclear Submarine". Global Defense Corp. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  213. ^ Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2021). Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Australia, and the Government of the United States of America for the Exchange of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (PDF). Miscellaneous Series No.8 (2021). Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ISBN 9781528630351. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  214. ^ This article contains OGL licensed text This article incorporates text published under the British Open Government Licence v3.0: Ministry of Defence; Defence Nuclear Organisation (14 March 2023). "The AUKUS Nuclear Powered-Submarine Pathway: A Partnership for the Future" (PDF). p. 7. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  215. ^ a b Sevastopulo, Demetri; Pfeifer, Sylvia; Rathbone, John Paul (10 March 2023). "Australia to buy US submarines to bridge gap before UK-design boats". Financial Times. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  216. ^ a b Ministry of Defence 2023, p. 7.
  217. ^ "Design work begins on successor to Astute-class submarines in £170m deal". Royal Navy. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  218. ^ Ministry of Defence 2023, p. 29.
  219. ^ a b Eckstein, Megan (17 November 2023). "Here's when the US Navy plans to sell subs to Australia under AUKUS". Defense News. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  220. ^ Defence Minister Richard Marles (14 March 2023). "Interview with Andrew Clennell, Sky News". Department of Defence Ministers. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  221. ^ Greene, Andrew (9 November 2023). "First newly built nuclear-powered submarine under AUKUS likely to be sold in 2038, US admiral reveals". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  222. ^ Briggs, Peter (12 October 2023). "How many nuclear-powered submarines for Australia?". The Strategist — Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  223. ^ Minister for Defence Richard Marles (22 March 2023). "AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine pathway, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra ACT". Department of Defence Ministers. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  224. ^ Defence Minister Richard Marles; Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy (14 March 2023). "Press conference - Parliament House, Canberra". Department of Defence Ministers. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.

Further reading

[edit]
Library resources about
Virginia-class submarine
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Virginia class submarines.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Virginia-class_submarine&oldid=1264435128"