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Virginia Class
New Attack Submarines (NSSN)
Image: SSN-775 "USS Texas"
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Photography by Action Asia Photo
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The Virginia Class of New Attack Submarines (NSSN) are designed for multi-mission operations and enhanced operational flexibility. Compared with the earlier Seawolf Class, the NSSN is slower and carries fewer weapons. However, it has a vertical launch system and is more cost effective than was the Seawolf class. The primary design emphasis for the NSSN is acoustic quietness equal to that of the Seawolf, even at the cost of reducing speed. With a focus on the littoral battle space, the New Attack Submarine has improved magnetic stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities, and Special Warfare enhancements. The NSSN is armed with a variety of weapons. It carries the most advanced heavyweight torpedoes, mines, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (UUVs) for horizontal launch. In addition, Tomahawk missiles are carried in vertical launch tubes. USS Texas has improved stealthiness and sophisticated surveillance capabilities including Unmanned Undersea Vehicles. Additionally, the future submarine will have Special Warfare enhancements - including Dry Deck Shelter and Advanced SEAL Delivery System - that will enable it to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements. The new attack submarine also features an integral Lock-Out / Lock-In chamber for special operations. Current plans call for 30 Virginia class submarines in the fleet. As the US Navy's next-generation attack submarine, the Virginia Class will provide the Navy with the capabilities it requires to maintain the nation's under-sea supremacy well into the 21st century. The total program cost is $67 billion with each sub expected to cost slightly over $2 billion. The Virginia Class submarines are being built at both
Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding. Each shipyard constructs about
one half of each ship and, for the most part, repeats the build of the same
sections each time. The constructed sections from each shipyard are barged
to their counterpart, and the shipyard designated as the “delivery yard” for
that ship completes the construction.
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