Description:
The SSN 774 Virginia are the next generation US Navy nuclear-powered fast attack submarines designed to meet the 21st century submarine warfare requirements. The Virginia class ships will replace current Los Angeles class submarines. The US Navy plans to procure up to 30 Virginia class submarines beginning in 2004.
Virginia submarines will feature advanced technologies to achieve improved firepower, maneuverability, endurance and emphasizing integrated acoustic and non-acoustic stealth. They will be able to stay submerged for up to three months at a time.
The submarine high data rate (Sub HDR) multi-band satellite communication (SATCOM) system is provided by Raytheon. The Sub HDR connects submarines to the above sea world by raising a mast-mounted antenna above the ocean's surface while the boat remains stealthy and submerged at periscope depth. It supports secure data, voice, multimedia, imagery and video teleconferencing via the Global Broadcast Service, the Milstar satellite constellation, and the Defense Satellite Communication System.
The FORCEnet capability being inducted to existing and on order submarines allows to communicate using IP/Internet Protocol connectivity. It allows US submarine fleet to quickly and easily share and exchange information for military purposes, while submarine crew can connect to their families back home via email, web browsing, file transfer, etc.
Virginia nuclear submarines will be used to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships, intelligence collection, special forces delivery, and land-attack operations using Tactical Tomahawk missiles launched from 12 vertical launch system (VLS) tubes and 4 torpedo tubes. They will perform the full-spectrum of open-ocean, blue water missions as well as littoral warfare missions.
The SSN 774 Virginia class submarines will maintain US undersea superiority well into the 21st century. In addition to current torpedoes, mines and missiles these submarines will be armed with unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV). This boat can carry the Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) underwater vehicle for special forces infiltration.
On 30 July 2004, Virginia (SSN 774) nuclear-powered attack submarine completed its first open ocean voyage, also called Alpha Sea Trials (AST). The AST included a range of submarine and propulsion plant operations, submerging for the first time, and high-speed runs on the surface and submerged, to demonstrate that the ship's propulsion plant is fully mission capable.
The next test for Virginia were Bravo sea trials in August which payed particular attention to the ship's underwater acoustics. The Virginia-class lead ship, SSN 774, was commissioned on Saturday, October 23, 2004, at the Norfolk Naval Base. To date, 10 submarines are under building contract of a planned 30 ships class.
The US Navy awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $1.35 billion contract for construction of the eighth ($1.1 billion for SSN 781) Virginia class submarine and initial funding for the 9th ($208 million SSN 782) and 10th ($40 million for SSN 783) January 30, 2006. This award modified an August 2003 contract covering construction of six boats with the six-ship contract value was set to $8.4 billion.
The US Navy christened the USS Hawaii (SSN 776) boat on June 17, 2006, during a ceremony at General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut. The third ship of Virginia-class features improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements. The nuclear reactor plant powering these boats doesn't require to be refueled during the planned service life of the ship.
On June 20, 2006, Northrop Grumman Corporation officially delivered Texas (SSN 775) to the US Navy after completing the builder's sea trials. The US Navy commissioning ceremony was held September 9, 2006, at the Port of Galveston piers in Galveston, Texas.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 134
Number of Weapons: 38
Dimensions: Height 9.8 m, Length 115 m, Width 10.4 m
Weights: Max Weight 7,835 t
Performance: Max Operating Depth 500 m (1,640 ft), Top Speed 13 mps (25 kt)
Other: Torpedo Tubes 4
News Operators
United States of America / 30
Ships
SSN 774 USS Virginia
Launch/Keel Laying: Thursday, September 02, 1999 Commissioning: Saturday, October 23, 2004
SSN 775 USS Texas
Launch/Keel Laying: Friday, July 12, 2002 Christening: Saturday, July 31, 2004 Commissioning: 2006
SSN 776 USS Hawaii
Launch/Keel Laying: Saturday, August 28, 2004 Christening: Saturday, June 17, 2006 Commissioning: Saturday, May 05, 2007
SSN 777 USS North Carolina
Christening: Saturday, April 21, 2007 Commissioning: Saturday, May 03, 2008
United States of America / 30 
