The Virginia-class submarine is a nuclear powered cruise missile fast-attack submarine. They are currently in United States Navy service. The SSN-774 Class is also known for the Virginia class. They are capable of carrying nuclear weapons and are equipped with ballistic missiles. In the future, these submarines could be used to combat terrorists and other threats.
Block V
The Virginia class submarines have a remarkable firepower. Block V is eighty feet in length and comes with a Virginia Payload Module measuring eighty feet. While Chinese submarines may not have the firepower or sophisticated sensing systems of a Virginia-class submarine, they do likely carry similar advanced technology.
The Virginia-class procurement system has been widely hailed as an outstanding example of how efficient it is to procure a ship. The program has a track record of success, and ships were delivered on time and at cost. One of the most notable achievements of the program was the reduction in delivery time: the average delivery time for Block III was 84 months. Block IV took 66 and 72 months.
Design changes
Major design changes have been made to the Virginia class submarine. These changes will allow the submarine to carry more Tomahawk missiles and torpedoes. These modifications will take place in Nashua (New Hampshire) and Syracuse (New York). These modifications are expected to reduce the Navy's shipbuilding costs by $40 million and improve the Virginia-class payload flexibility.
12 vertical launch tubes are planned for the Virginia-class submarines. These tubes will be wider and smaller in cross-section. Because the subs have common technology, any innovations can be used on other submarine types as well. In the long term, the design changes should save $8 million.
Costs
The US Navy currently is building its first Virginia-class submarine, the USS District of Columbia. Although the keel was laid in June, construction has been delayed. There have been errors, quality issues and delays in supplier materials that have made it difficult for the workforce to complete the project as planned.
Bryan Clark, a Hudson Institute senior fellow, said that the Virginia-class submarine will be more affordable than other subs of the same type. Clark pointed out that the Navy, EB and other submarine builders have always completed submarines on time and that improvements to shipyards were made in 2000. Because of the missile module, however, the next block Virginia class submarines is likely to cost more that $3 billion.
Delivery schedule
General Dynamics Electric has been awarded $13.1 million by the US Navy to construct submarines of the Virginia-class. These submarines are the Navy's latest stealth multimission submarines and are designed for both shallow-water and deep-ocean anti-submarine warfare. The composite parts of these new submarines will be built by Goodrich's Engineered Polymer Products group. They currently produce components for two new submarines each year (one in 2009 and one in 2010) and two ships each of 2011 through 2013. These components include bow domes, sonar, weapons equipment, and other parts.
Block IV of the Virginia-class submarines is followed by Block V, which has ten boats. After the SSGNs have been retired, the Block V boats will be equipped with a Virginia Payload module. They will then have guided-missile capabilities. The Navy ordered nine new Virginia-class submarines on 2/12/2019. This includes eight Block Vs as well as one Block IV. The Navy has the option of ordering a tenth sub at a later time.
Contractors
The U.S. Navy has awarded a new contract modification to General Dynamics Electric Boat to support the Virginia-class submarines. This contract is worth $532.9 million. It will cover work at the company’s facilities at Groton, CT and Newport News, VA. The Navy's newest platform for undersea warfare is the Virginia-class submarines. They can carry out ISR missions (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) and are designed for anti-submarine warfare operations. Additionally, they are capable of supporting battle groups and engaging in mine warfare.
The Virginia-class submarines are expected to be completed within five year. The contract will cover planning, material procurement, repair, and maintenance. Huntington Ingalls & General Dynamics Electric Boat were both involved in this project.