Virginia Class Submarine

The Virginia class submarine often referred to as the SSN-774 class, is a subclass of nuclear-powered fast-attack cruise missile submarines used by the US Navy. The Virginia class submarine, the newest submarine model for the US Navy, was created by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries and features the most recent in stealth, intelligence gathering, and weapons systems technology. Submarines of the Virginia class are built for a variety of open-ocean and littoral tasks, such as anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering. These older Los Angeles-class submarines, several of which have already been decommissioned, are intended to be replaced by them. Submarines of the Virginia-class will be purchased through 2043 and are anticipated to stay in service until at least 2060, with further submarines anticipating service well into the 2070s.

The Virginia-class submarine has four 533mm torpedo tubes and 12 vertical missile launch tubes. The vertical launching system has the ability to fire 16 Tomahawk cruise missiles from submarines at once. The 21-inch torpedo tubes can launch up to 26 mk48 ADCAP mod 6 heavyweight torpedoes and sub harpoon anti-ship missiles. Additionally, Mk60 CAPTOR mines can be installed. The hull includes an inbuilt lock-out/lock-in chamber for specific operations. The chamber can house a mini-submarine like Oceanic and Naval Systems' advanced SEAL delivery system from Northrop Grumman to transport special warfare forces like navy sea air land teams or marine reconnaissance units for operations against terrorism or small-scale hostilities.

The Virginia-class submarine cost $83.7 billion, despite being the Seawolf-class submarine's less expensive rival. It is an attack submarine with nuclear propulsion that can operate in both littoral and open ocean regions. As a result, it is equipped with a variety of armaments, like mines, torpedoes, and even Tomahawk missiles.

Cost: $83.7 billion

Country: United States