The Virginia class submarine is a fast-attack nuclear-powered submarine. They are currently in 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 could be used in future to combat terrorists, and other threats.
Block V
The Virginia-class submarines are a revolutionary measure of firepower. The Block V model is eighty feet long and is fitted with an eighty-foot Virginia Payload Module. While Chinese submarines may lack the firepower and sophisticated sense systems of a Virginia Class submarine, they most likely possess similar advanced technology.
The Virginia-class procurement program is praised as an example of how to get a ship built with high efficiency. 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 modifications are being made to Virginia-class submarine. These changes will allow the submarine to carry more Tomahawk missiles and torpedoes. These modifications were carried out at Syracuse, New York, and Nashua in New Hampshire. These changes will save the Navy $40 millions per ship and increase the Virginia-class' payload flexibility.
The Virginia-class submarines are being designed to have 12 vertical launch tubes. These tubes will have a wider cross-section and be shorter. The subs will also share the same technology which allows for any innovation to be applied to other classes of submarines. In the long term, design changes are expected save approximately $8 million.
Costs
The US Navy currently is building its first Virginia-class submarine, the USS District of Columbia. Construction has slowed down despite the fact that the keel had been laid on June 4. It is difficult for the workforce and suppliers to complete the project as planned because of errors, quality issues, delays in materials supply, and other factors.
Bryan Clark, senior fellow at Hudson Institute, stated that the Virginia-class submarine should be cheaper than other submarines in the same class. Clark noted that both the Navy and EB had previously completed submarines within budget, and that shipyard improvements were made in the 2000s. However, the next block of Virginia-class submarines is expected to cost more than $3 billion per submarine because of the added missile module.
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 Navy's newest stealth multimission submarines. The composite parts of these new submarines will be built by Goodrich's Engineered Polymer Products group. 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 bowdoms, sonar and weapons equipment.
Block IV will be followed by Block V. This configuration includes ten submarines. Block V boats include a Virginia Payload Modul. This will give them guided-missile ability once the SSGNs cease to be in service. 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 can also order a tenth submarine at any time.
Contractors
General Dynamics Electric Boat was awarded a contract modification by the U.S. Navy for support to the Virginia-class submarines. This contract is valued at $532.9 million and will cover work at the company's facilities in Groton, CT, and Newport News, VA. 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 should be finished in five years. The contract will cover planning, material procurement, repair, and maintenance. Huntington Ingalls was also involved in the project.