The Virginia-class submarine, a type nuclear-powered fast-attack cruise missile submarine, is one example. They are in service with the United States Navy. The SSN-774-class is also known as Virginia class. They can carry nuclear weapons, and they are equipped with ballistic rockets. These submarines might be used to combat terrorists or other threats in the future.
Block V
The Virginia-class submarines are a revolutionary measure of firepower. Block V models are eighty feet long, and come with a Virginia Payload Modul that measures eighty. 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 program has been highly praised for its efficiency and effectiveness in procuring ships. It has a track record that shows ships were delivered on schedule and on budget. 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 modifications are being made to Virginia-class submarine. The sub will be able to carry more Tomahawk and torpedoes. These modifications were carried out at Syracuse, New York, and Nashua in New Hampshire. The Navy expects to save $40 million per ship with these modifications, as well as increasing 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. The subs share common technology which means that any innovations can also be applied to other submarine classes. In the long term, the design changes should save $8 million.
Prices
The US Navy currently is building its first Virginia-class submarine, the USS District of Columbia. Construction is behind schedule despite the fact the keel being laid on June 4th. 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.
The Virginia-class submarine is expected to be less costly than other submarines of the same class, according to Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. He pointed out that both the Navy (EB) and the Navy have traditionally completed submarines on budget. Also, that there were improvements made to shipyards in the 2000s. Due to the additional missile module, the next set of Virginia-class submarines will likely cost more than $350 million.
Delivery schedule
General Dynamics Electric received a $13.1million contract from the US Navy to build submarines of the Virginia class. These submarines are the Navy’s latest stealth multimission submarines. They are capable of both shallow-water as well deep-ocean antisubmarine warfare. Goodrich's Engineered Polymer Products will make composite parts for the new submarines. They are currently building components for one submarine per year in 2009, 2010 and two ships per year from 2011 to 2013. These components include bow domes and sonar as well as weapons equipment and other parts.
Block IV submarines of Virginia-class will be followed up by Block V submarines. The Block V configuration has ten boats. Block V boats will include a Virginia Payload Modul, which gives them guided-missile capability after the SSGNs are retired. On December 2, 2019, the Navy placed an order for nine new Virginia class submarines. There are eight Block Vs and one Block IV. The Navy can also order a tenth submarine at any time.
Contractors
General Dynamics Electric Boat received a modified contract from the U.S. Navy in support of its Virginia-class submarines. This contract, worth $532.9million will cover work in the company's facilities of Groton and Newport News. The Virginia-class submarines are the Navy's newest undersea warfare platform. They can be used to carry out anti-submarine warfare operations deep in the ocean and also do ISR (intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance). They are capable of supporting battle teams and engaging mine warfare.
The Virginia-class submarines are expected to be completed in five years. The contract will cover planning, material procurement, repair, and maintenance. Huntington Ingalls was also involved in the project.