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Last updated: 15 Mar 2024
Background
With the number of foreign diesel-electric/air-independent propulsion submarines increasing, the United States Submarine Force relies on its technological superiority and the speed, endurance, mobility, stealth, and payload afforded by nuclear power to retain its preeminence in the undersea battlespace.
The Navy has three classes of SSNs in service. Los Angeles-class (SSN 688) submarines are the backbone of the submarine force, with approximately 25 now in commission. They are equipped with 12 Vertical Launch System (VLS) tubes for firing Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The Navy also has three Seawolf-class submarines. The first of the class,USS Seawolf (SSN 21) was commissioned July 19, 1997. This class of submarines is exceptionally quiet, fast, well armed, and equipped with advanced sensors. Instead of VLS, the Seawolf class has eight torpedo tubes and can hold up to 50 weapons in its torpedo room. The third ship of the class, USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23), has a 100-foot hull extension called the multi-mission platform. This hull section provides for additional payloads to accommodate advanced technology used to carry out classified research and development and for enhanced warfighting capabilities.
The Navy continues to build the next-generation attack submarine, the Virginia (SSN 774) class. 22 Virginias have been commissioned to date, replacing Los Angeles class submarines as they retire. The Virginia class has several innovations that significantly enhance its warfighting capabilities, including in littoral -- or coastal -- operations. The class has special features to support SOF, including a reconfigurable torpedo room which can accommodate a large number of SOF personnel and all their equipment for prolonged deployments, as well as future off-board payloads. The class also has a large lockout truck (LOT) for divers. In Virginia-class SSNs, traditional periscopes have been supplanted by two photonics masts that host visible and infrared digital cameras atop telescoping arms. With the removal of the barrel periscopes, the ship's control room has been moved down one deck and away from the hull's curvature, affording it more room and an improved layout that provides the commanding officer with enhanced situational awareness. Additionally, through the extensive use of modular construction, open architecture, and commercial off-the-shelf components, the Virginia class is designed to remain state-of-the-practice for its entire operational life through the rapid introduction of new systems and payloads.
As part of the Virginia-class' third, or Block III, contract, the Navy redesigned approximately 20 percent of the ship to reduce their acquisition costs. Most of the changes are found in the bow where the traditional, air-backed sonar sphere has been replaced with a water-backed Large Aperture Bow (LAB) array which reduces acquisition and life-cycle costs while providing enhanced passive detection capabilities. The new bow also replaces the 12 individual Vertical Launch System (VLS) tubes with two large diameter 87-inch Virginia Payload Tubes (VPTs), each capable of launching six Tomahawk cruise missiles using Multiple All-up Round Canisters (MACs) already employed on guided missile submarines (SSGNs) . The VPTs simplify construction, reduce acquisition costs, and provide for more payload flexibility than the smaller VLS tubes due to their added volume.
The next major change is the incorporation of the Virginia Payload Module (VPM), starting with the second Block V ship, SSN 803, currently under construction. VPM incorporates four additional large diameter payload tubes in a new hull section located amidships. Each VPM payload tube is capable of carrying seven Tomahawk cruise missiles adding 28 missiles per VPM. VPM reconstitutes the ability to host dry deck shelters, further enhancing SOF capability, and allows the Navy to host additional advanced payloads via multiple ocean interfaces. Block V hulls include the 10 ships procured from 2019 through 2023 (SSNs 802-811).
Two additional future Blocks, Blocks VI and VII, will leverage Block V modifications and future changes.
General Characteristics, Virginia Class Builder: General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII- Newport News Shipbuilding Date Deployed: USS Virginia commissioned Oct. 3, 2004 Propulsion: One nuclear reactor, one shaft Length: 377 feet (114.8 meters); 461 feet (140.5 meters) with VPM Beam: 34 feet (10.36 meters) Displacement: Approximately 7,800 tons (7,925 metric tons) submerged; 10,200 tons (10,363.7 metric tons) with VPM Speed: 25+ knots (28+ miles per hour, 46.3+ kph) Crew: 132: 15 officers; 117 enlisted Armament: Tomahawk missiles, twelve VLS tubes (SSNs 774-783) or two VPTs (SSNs 784 and beyond, and four additional payload tubes (SSNs 803 and beyond); Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, four torpedo tubes Ships: USS Virginia (SSN 774) Groton, Connecticut USS Texas (SSN 775) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Hawaii (SSN 776) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS North Carolina (SSN 777) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) Norfolk, Virginia USS New Mexico (SSN 779) Norfolk, Virginia USS Missouri (SSN 780) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS California (SSN 781) Groton, Connecticut USS Mississippi (SSN 782) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Minnesota (SSN 783) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS North Dakota (SSN 784) Groton, Connecticut USS John Warner (SSN 785) Norfolk, Virginia USS Illinois (SSN 786) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Washington (SSN 787) Norfolk, Virginia USS Colorado (SSN 788) Groton, Connecticut USS Indiana (SSN 789) Groton, Connecticut USS South Dakota (SSN 790) Groton, Connecticut USS Delaware (SSN 791) Groton, Connecticut USS Vermont (SSN 792) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Oregon (SSN 793) Groton, Connecticut Montana (SSN 794) Norfolk, Virginia Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795) Groton, Connecticut New Jersey (SSN 796) – Christened Nov. 13, 2021 Iowa (SSN 797) – Keel laid Aug. 20, 2019 Massachusetts (SSN 798) – Keel laid Dec. 11, 2020 Idaho (SSN 799) – Christened Mar. 16, 2024 Arkansas (SSN 800) – Keel laid Nov. 19, 2022 Utah (SSN 801) – Keel laid Sept. 1, 2021 Oklahoma (SSN 802) – Keel laid Aug. 2, 2023 Arizona (SSN 803) – Keel laid Dec 7, 2022 Barb (SSN 804) – Construction began Sept. 2020 Tang (SSN 805) – Construction began July 2021 Wahoo (SSN 805) – Construction began Aug. 2022 Silversides (SSN 807) – Construction began Sept. 2022 John H. Dalton (SSN 808)- Future build SSN 809 – Future build SSN 810 – Future build SSN 811 – Future build
General Characteristics, Seawolf Class Builder: General Dynamics Electric Boat Division. Date Deployed: USS Seawolf commissioned July 19, 1997 Propulsion: One nuclear reactor, one shaft Length: SSNs 21 and 22: 353 feet (107.6 meters); SSN 23: 453 feet (138.07 meters) Beam: 40 feet (12.2 meters) Displacement: SSNs 21 and 22: 9,138 tons (9,284 metric tons) submerged; SSN 23 12,158 tons (12,353 metric tons) submerged Speed: 25+ knots (28+ miles per hour, 46.3+ kph) Crew: 140: 14 officers; 126 enlisted Armament: Tomahawk missiles, MK48 torpedoes, eight torpedo tubes Ships: USS Seawolf (SSN 21) Bremerton, Washington USS Connecticut (SSN 22) Bremerton, Washington USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) Bangor, Washington General Characteristics, Los Angeles Class Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding Co.; General Dynamics Electric Boat Division Date Deployed: Nov. 13, 1976 (USS Los Angeles) Propulsion: One nuclear reactor, one shaft Length: 360 feet (109.73 meters) Beam: 33 feet (10.06 meters) Displacement: Approximately 6,900 tons (7011 metric tons) submerged Speed: 25+ knots (28+ miles per hour, 46.3 +kph) Crew: 16 officers; 127 enlisted Armament: Tomahawk missiles, VLS tubes (SSN 719 and later), MK 48 torpedoes, four torpedo tubes Ships: USS Helena (SSN 725) Norfolk, Virginia USS Newport News (SSN 750) Groton, Connecticut USS San Juan (SSN 751) Groton, Connecticut USS Pasadena (SSN 752) Norfolk, Virginia USS Albany (SSN 753) Norfolk, Virginia USS Topeka (SSN 754) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Scranton (SSN 756) San Diego, California (Point Loma/DSRA) USS Alexandria (SSN 757) San Diego, California USS Asheville (SSN 758) Guam USS Jefferson City (SSN 759) Guam USS Annapolis (SSN 760) Guam USS Springfield (SSN 761) Guam USS Columbus (SSN 762) Norfolk, Virginia USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) San Diego, California USS Boise (SSN 764) Norfolk, Virginia USS Montpelier (SSN 765) Norfolk, Virginia USS Charlotte (SSN 766) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Hampton (SSN 767) San Diego, California USS Hartford (SSN 768) Groton, Connecticut USS Toledo (SSN 769) Norfolk, Virginia USS Tucson (SSN 770) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Columbia (SSN 771) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Greeneville (SSN 772)Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Cheyenne (SSN 773) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Point of Contact Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications (SEA 00D)
Washington, D.C. 20376
(202) 781-4123
Attack Submarines - SSN
Last updated: 09 March 2023
Point of Contact Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communication (SEA 00D)
Description Attack submarines are designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; project power ashore with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Special Operation Forces (SOF); carry out Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions; support battle group operations; and engage in mine warfare.
Features
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Background With the number of foreign diesel-electric/air-independent propulsion submarines increasing, the United States Submarine Force relies on its technological superiority and the speed, endurance, mobility, stealth, and payload afforded by nuclear power to retain its preeminence in the undersea battlespace.
The Navy has three classes of SSNs in service. Los Angeles-class (SSN 688) submarines are the backbone of the submarine force, with approximately forty now in commission. Thirty of those are equipped with twelve Vertical Launch System (VLS) tubes for firing Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The Navy also has three Seawolf-class submarines. Commissioned July 19, 1997, USS Seawolf-class (SSN 21) submarines are exceptionally quiet, fast, well-armed, and equipped with advanced sensors. Though lacking VLS, the Seawolf class has eight torpedo tubes and can hold up to 50 weapons in its torpedo room. The third ship of the class, USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23), has a 100-foot hull extension called the multi-mission platform. This hull section provides for additional payloads to accommodate advanced technology used to carry out classified research and development and for enhanced warfighting capabilities.
The Navy continues to build the next-generation attack submarine, the Virginia (SSN 774) class. Twenty-oneVirginias have been commissioned to date, and they will replace Los Angeles Class submarines as they retire. The Virginia class has several innovations that significantly enhance its warfighting capabilities, including in littoral -- or coastal -- operations. The class has special features to support SOF, including a reconfigurable torpedo room which can accommodate a large number of SOF personnel and all their equipment for prolonged deployments, as well as future off-board payloads. The class also has a large lockout truck (LOT) for divers. In Virginia-class SSNs, traditional periscopes have been supplanted by two photonics masts that host visible and infrared digital cameras atop telescoping arms. With the removal of the barrel periscopes, the ship's control room has been moved down one deck and away from the hull's curvature, affording it more room and an improved layout that provides the commanding officer with enhanced situational awareness. Additionally, through the extensive use of modular construction, open architecture, and commercial off-the-shelf components, the Virginia class is designed to remain state-of-the-practice for its entire operational life through the rapid introduction of new systems and payloads.
As part of the Virginia-class' third, or Block III, contract, the Navy redesigned approximately 20 percent of the ship to reduce their acquisition costs. Most of the changes are found in the bow where the traditional, air-backed sonar sphere has been replaced with a water-backed Large Aperture Bow (LAB) array which reduces acquisition and life-cycle costs while providing enhanced passive detection capabilities. The new bow also replaces the 12 individual Vertical Launch System (VLS) tubes with two large diameter 87-inch Virginia Payload Tubes (VPTs), each capable of launching six Tomahawk cruise missiles using Multiple All-up Round Canisters (MACs) already employed on SSGNs . The VPTs simplify construction, reduce acquisition costs, and provide for more payload flexibility than the smaller VLS tubes due to their added volume. The Block III design changes will continue on all future Virginias and were successfully proven out during USS North Dakota's (SSN 784) builder sea trials in August 2014. Block III hulls include the eight ships procured from 2008 through and 2013 (SSNs 784-791).
The next major change is the incorporation of the Virginia Payload Module (VPM), starting with the second Block V ship, SSN 803, currently under construction. VPM incorporates four additional large diameter payload tubes in a new hull section located amidships. Due to their location, each VPM payload tube is capable of carrying seven Tomahawk cruise missiles adding 28 missiles per VPM. VPM reconstitutes the ability to host dry deck shelters, further enhancing SOF capability, and allows the Navy to host additional advanced payloads via multiple ocean interfaces. Block V hulls include the ten ships procured from 2019 through 2023 (SSNs 802-811).
General Characteristics, Virginia Class Builder: General Dynamics Electric Boat Division and Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. - Newport News Shipbuilding Date Deployed: USS Virginia commissioned Oct. 3, 2004 Propulsion: One nuclear reactor, one shaft Length: 377 feet (114.8 meters); 461 feet (140.5 meters) with VPM Beam: 34 feet (10.36 meters) Displacement: Approximately 7,800 tons (7,925 metric tons) submerged; 10,200 tons (10,363.7 metric tons) with VPM Speed: 25+ knots (28+ miles per hour, 46.3+ kph) Crew: 132: 15 officers; 117 enlisted Armament: Tomahawk missiles, twelve VLS tubes (SSNs 774-783) or two VPTs (SSNs 784 and beyond, and four additional payload tubes (SSNs 803 and beyond); Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes, four torpedo tubes Ships: USS Virginia (SSN 774) Portsmouth, New Hampshire USS Texas (SSN 775) Portsmouth, New Hampshire USS Hawaii (SSN 776) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS North Carolina (SSN 777) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) Norfolk, Virginia USS New Mexico (SSN 779) Norfolk, Virginia USS Missouri (SSN 780) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS California (SSN 781) Groton, Connecticut USS Mississippi (SSN 782) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Minnesota (SSN 783) Groton, Connecticut USS North Dakota (SSN 784) Groton, Connecticut USS John Warner (SSN 785) Norfolk, Virginia USS Illinois (SSN 786) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Washington (SSN 787) Norfolk, Virginia USS Colorado (SSN 788) Groton, Connecticut USS Indiana (SSN 789) Groton, Connecticut USS South Dakota (SSN 790) Groton, Connecticut USS Delaware (SSN 791) Groton, Connecticut USS Vermont (SSN 792) Groton, Connecticut USS Oregon (SSN 793) – Groton, Connecticut USS Montana (SSN 794) –Norfolk, Virginia Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795) – Christened July 31, 2021 New Jersey (SSN 796) –Christened Nov. 13, 2021 Iowa (SSN 797) – Keel laid Aug. 20, 2019 Massachusetts (SSN 798) – Keel laid Dec. 11, 2020 Idaho (SSN 799) – Keel laid Aug. 24, 2020 Arkansas (SSN 800) – Construction began March 2018 Utah (SSN 801) – Keel laid Sept. 1, 2021 Oklahoma (SSN 802) – Construction began Sept. 2019 Arizona (SSN 803) – Construction began March 2020 Barb (SSN 804) – Construction began Sept. 2020 Tang (SSN 805) – Construction began July 2021 Wahoo (SSN 806) – Construction began August 2022 Silversides (SSN 807) – Construction began November 2022
John H. Dalton (SSN 808)- Future build
SSN 809 – Future build
SSN 810 – Future build
SSN 811 – Future build
General Characteristics, Seawolf Class Builder: General Dynamics Electric Boat Division. Date Deployed: USS Seawolf commissioned July 19, 1997 Propulsion: One nuclear reactor, one shaft Length: SSNs 21 and 22: 353 feet (107.6 meters); SSN 23: 453 feet (138.07 meters) Beam: 40 feet (12.2 meters) Displacement: SSNs 21 and 22: 9,138 tons (9,284 metric tons) submerged; SSN 23 12,158 tons (12,353 metric tons) submerged Speed: 25+ knots (28+ miles per hour, 46.3+ kph) Crew: 140: 14 officers; 126 enlisted Armament: Tomahawk missiles, MK48 torpedoes, eight torpedo tubes Ships: USS Seawolf (SSN 21) Bremerton, Washington USS Connecticut (SSN 22) Bremerton, Washington USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) Bangor, Washington General Characteristics, Los Angeles Class Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding Co.; General Dynamics Electric Boat Division Date Deployed: Nov. 13, 1976 (USS Los Angeles) Propulsion: One nuclear reactor, one shaft Length: 360 feet (109.73 meters) Beam: 33 feet (10.06 meters) Displacement: Approximately 6,900 tons (7011 metric tons) submerged Speed: 25+ knots (28+ miles per hour, 46.3 +kph) Crew: 16 officers; 127 enlisted Armament: Tomahawk missiles, VLS tubes (SSN 719 and later), MK 48 torpedoes, four torpedo tubes Ships: USS Chicago (SSN 721) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Key West (SSN 722) Guam USS Helena (SSN 725) Norfolk, Virginia USS Newport News (SSN 750) Portsmouth, New Hampshire Groton, Connecticut USS San Juan (SSN 751) Groton, Connecticut USS Pasadena (SSN 752) Norfolk, Virginia USS Albany (SSN 753) Norfolk, Virginia USS Topeka (SSN 754) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Scranton (SSN 756) San Diego, California USS Alexandria (SSN 757) San Diego, California USS Asheville (SSN 758) Guam USS Jefferson City (SSN 759) Guam USS Annapolis (SSN 760) San Diego, California USS Springfield (SSN 761) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Columbus (SSN 762) Newport News, VirginiaUSS Santa Fe (SSN 763) Portsmouth, New Hampshire USS Boise (SSN 764) Norfolk, Virginia USS Montpelier (SSN 765) Norfolk, Virginia USS Charlotte (SSN 766) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Hampton (SSN 767) San Diego, California USS Hartford (SSN 768) Groton, Connecticut USS Toledo (SSN 769) Newport News, Virginia USS Tucson (SSN 770) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Columbia (SSN 771) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii USS Greeneville (SSN 772) Portsmouth, New Hampshire USS Cheyenne (SSN 773) Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Decommissioned Ships: Bremerton (SSN 698) Jacksonville (SSN 699) Dallas (SSN 700) Buffalo (SSN 715) USS Olympia (SSN 717) USS Louisville (SSN 724) USS Miami (SSN 755)
USS Providence (SSN 719)
USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723)
USS Olympia (SSN 717) USS Louisville (SSN 724) USS Miami (SSN 755)
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