On the 10th Viginia Class nuclear attack submarine was christened.
The Minnesota is the sixth and last Block II Virginia class after an initial four Black I boats.
Now, with the USS Soth Dakota, SSN-784, the Block III boats are building. Four of them are already under construction. Currently the builds for these new, modern, state of the art and cutting edge submarines includes the following:
-------- Block I --------
SSN-774 USS Virginia
SSN-775 USS Texas
SSN-776 USS Hawaii
SSN-777 USS North Carolina
-------- Block II -------
SSN-778 USS New Hampshire
SSN-779 USS New Mexico
SSN-780 USS Missouri
SSN-781 USS California
SSN-782 USS Mississippi
SSN-783 USS Minnesota
------- Block III -------
SSN-784 USS North Dakota (Building)
SSN-785 USS John Warner (Building)
SSN-786 USS Illinois (Building)
SSN-787 USS Washington (Building)
SSN-788 USS Colorado (Named)
SSN-789 USS Indiana (Named)
SSN-790 USS South Dakota (Named)
SSN-791 USS (Un-named) (Ordered)
Overview:
The Virinia class nuclear attack submarines (SSN) are the latest nuclear attack submarines being built by the US Navy. They are considered the most capable, quietest, and effective nuclear attack submarines in the world, thought the United Kingdom Astute Class SSNs are very close in capabilities and quietness. Ten Virginia class have been completed thus far, including 4 Block I boats, and with the christening of the USS Minnesota, (SSN-783) on October 27, 2012, six Block II boats have also been completed.
Four Block III boats are also building, with another three named and awaiting their turn for construction, and a fourth, SSN-791 as yet unnamed but authorized and ordered.
These boats, all already contracted and built, building, or preparing to build, will total 18 of an envisioned class of at least 30 boats planned.
Capabilities:
The Virginia class nuclear attack submarines are designed for a broad range of flexible open-ocean and littoral missions. This is accomplished by carrying out the following seven mission goals as required:
- Covert Strike by launching land-attack missiles from vertical launchers and torpedo tubes;
- Anti-Submarine Warfare with an advanced combat system and a flexible payload of torpedoes;
- Anti-Ship Warfare, again, using the advanced combat system and torpedoes;
- Battle Group Support with advanced electronic sensors and communications equipment;
- Covert Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, using sensors to collect critical intelligence and locate radar sites, missile batteries and command sites as well as to monitor communications and track ship movements;
- Covert Minelaying against enemy shipping; and
- Special Operations, including search and rescue, reconnaissance, sabotage, diversionary attacks, and direction of fire support and strikes.
Originally designed as a less expensive alternative to the larger Seawolf-class attack submarines, the Virginia class is slated to replace the aging Los Angeles class subs, seventeen of which, from a total of 62 that were built, have already been decommissioned.
The Virginia class incorporates several unique innovations. Instead of periscopes, the subs have a pair of extendable photonics masts outside the pressure hull. Each contains several high-resolution cameras with light-intensification and infrared sensors, an infrared laser rangefinder, and an integrated Electronic Support Measures (ESM) array. Signals from the mast sensors are transmitted through fiber optic links through signal processors to the control center. The subs also make use of pump-jet propulsors for quieter operations.
An advanced electromagnetic signature reduction system built will first appear on the USS California (SSN-781). Through an advanced interfacing software system this will aloow the crew to monitor and reduce the vessels electromagnetic signatures as needed. This capability will be refitted into the earlier seven submarines of the class
The Virginia-class is built through an industrial arrangement designed to keep both GD Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Newport News in the submarine-building business. These two U.S. shipyards are the only two capable of building nuclear-powered submarines. Under the arrangement, the Newport News facility builds the stern, habitability & machinery spaces, torpedo room, sail and bow, while Electric Boat builds the engine room and control room. The facilities alternate working on the reactor plant as well as the final assembly, test, outfit and delivery.
In order to rising costs and get each vessel's price down to $2 billion per submarine in FY-05 dollars, the US Navy instituted a cost-reduction program to save approximately $400 million in costs from each submarine. The project was dubbed "2 for 4 in 12," referring to the Navy's desire to buy two boats for $4 billion in FY-2012. As directed by Congress, the Navy started buying two boats a year in FY-2011. Officials were afriad that this would mean that the first two vessels would not meat the cost goals, but the program manager indicated at a conference on March 19, 2008, that the program was only $30 million away from achieving the $2 billion price goal, and would reach that target on schedule.
Construction:
The US Navy's total requirement is for 30 or more of the class. It placed a bulk-buy contract for the first five ships and, in January 2004, placed a multi-year contract for the following five. In December 2008, the US Navy signed a $14 billion contract with General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman, to supply eight more submarines. The contractors will deliver one submarine in each of fiscal 2009 and 2010, and two submarines on each of fiscal 2011, 2012 and 2013. These contracts will bring the Navy's Virginia-class fleet to 18 submarines.
On 2 June 2012, the Navy christened the USS Mississippi (SSN-782), the ninth in class and the fourth of the Block II submarine. This boat was delivered months ahead of schedule and tens of millions of dollars under budget. The Block II boats are built in four sections, compared to the ten sections of the Block I boats. This increases cost saving and optimizes construction time and efficency.
The first of class, SSN-774, USS Virginia was laid down 2 September 2000, launched 16 August 2003, and commissioned: 23 October 2004
Second in class, SSN-775, USS Texas was laid down: 12 July 2002, launched 9 April 2005, and commissioned: 9 September 2006.
Following this, SSN-776, USS Hawaii was commissioned 5 May 2007, SSN-777, USS North Carolina was commissioned 3 May 2008, SSN-778, USS New Hampshire was commissioned 25 October 2008, SSN-779, USS New Mexico was commissioned in January 2010 and the eigth in class, USS California, SSN-781, was commissioned in October of 2011, USS Mississippi, SSN-782, was commissioned on June 2, 2012, and USS Minnesota, SSN-783, was Christened on October 27, 2012, for commissioning in April of 2013..
Design:
The engineering, design and build teams at Electric Boat in partnership with the Naval Sea Systems Command, NAVSEA, of the US Navy have used extensive CAD/CAE simulation systems to optimise the design of the submarine.
The hull structure contains structurally integrated enclosures, which accommodate standard 19in and 24in width equipment for ease of installation, repair and upgrade of the submarine's systems. The submarine is also fitted with modular isolated deck structures.
The submarine's control suite is equipped with computer touch screens.The submarine's steering and diving control is via a four-button, two-axis joystick.
The noise level of the Virginia is equal to that of the US Navy Seawolf, SSN 21, with a lower acoustic signature than the Russian Improved Akula Class and fourth-generation attack submarines. To achieve this, the Virginia incorporates newly designed anechoic coatings, isolated deck structures and a new design of propulsor.
Command Systems:
The desing of the command and control systems module has been conducted by a team led by Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems – Undersea Systems (NE&SS-US) of Manassas, Virginia. It integrates all of the vessel's systems – sensors, countermeasures, navigation, weapon control, and is based on open system architecture (OSA) with Q-70 colour common display consoles.
Weapon control are provided by Raytheon with a derivative of the CCS mk2 combat system, the AN/BYG-1 combat control system.
The Virginia has two mast-mounted Raytheon submarine high data rate (sub HDR) multi-band satellite communications systems that allow simultaneous communication at super high frequency (SHF) and extremely high frequency (EHF).
Weapons System:
All Virginia class submarines are equipped with 12 vertical launch missile tubes and four 533mm torpedo tubes. The vertical launch system has the capacity to launch 16 Tomahawk submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCM). There is capacity for up to 26 mk48 ADCAP mod 6 heavyweight torpedoes and sub harpoon anti-ship missiles to be fired from those torpedo tubes. Mk60 CAPTOR mines may also be deployed.
An integral lock-out/lock-in chamber is incorporated into the hull for special operations. The chamber can host a mini-submarine, such as Northrop Grumman's Oceanic and Naval Systems Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS), to deliver special warfare forces such as SEAL teams or Marine Force Recon units for counter-terrorism or localised conflict operations.
Propulsion:
The main propulsion unit is the GE pressure water reactor S9G, designed to last as long as the submarine, two turbine engines with one shaft and a United Defense pump jet propulser, providing 30MW (40,000HP). The submerged speed is in excess of 25kts.
Sensors:
The Virginia Class sonar suite provides 360 degree, total coverage. This is accomplished by including bow-mounted active and passive arrays, a stern wide aperture passive array, high-frequency active arrays on the keel and fin, TB 16 towed array and the Lockheed Martin TB-29A thinline towed array, with the AN/BQQ-10(V4) sonar processing system. A Sperry Marine AN/BPS-16(V)4 navigation radar, operating at I-band, is also fitted.
Each submarines has two Kollmorgen AN/BVS-1 photonic masts, rather than optical periscopes. Sensors mounted on the non-hull-penetrating photonic mast include LLTV (low-light TV), thermal imager and laser rangefinder. The mast is the Universal Modular Mast developed by Kollmorgen and its Italian subsidiary, Calzoni.
The Boeing LMRS long-term mine reconnaissance system is deployed on the Virginia Class. LMRS includes two 6m autonomous unmanned underwater vehicles, an 18m robotic recovery arm and support electronics.
Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems is supplying the lightweight, wide-aperture array (LWWAA) system based on fibre-optic arrays, instead of traditional ceramic hydrophone sensors.
LWWAA is a passive ASW sonar system which consists of three large array panels mounted on either side of the submarine's hull.
Countermeasures:
The entire Virginia Class is fitted with the AN/WLY-1 acoustic countermeasures system being developed by Northrop Grumman, which provides range and bearing data, and the mast-mounted AN/BLQ-10 electronic support measures (ESM) system from Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems.
AN/BLQ-10 provides full spectrum radar processing, automatic threat warning and situation assessment.
The Minnesota is the sixth and last Block II Virginia class after an initial four Black I boats.
Now, with the USS Soth Dakota, SSN-784, the Block III boats are building. Four of them are already under construction. Currently the builds for these new, modern, state of the art and cutting edge submarines includes the following:
-------- Block I --------
SSN-774 USS Virginia
SSN-775 USS Texas
SSN-776 USS Hawaii
SSN-777 USS North Carolina
-------- Block II -------
SSN-778 USS New Hampshire
SSN-779 USS New Mexico
SSN-780 USS Missouri
SSN-781 USS California
SSN-782 USS Mississippi
SSN-783 USS Minnesota
------- Block III -------
SSN-784 USS North Dakota (Building)
SSN-785 USS John Warner (Building)
SSN-786 USS Illinois (Building)
SSN-787 USS Washington (Building)
SSN-788 USS Colorado (Named)
SSN-789 USS Indiana (Named)
SSN-790 USS South Dakota (Named)
SSN-791 USS (Un-named) (Ordered)
Overview:
The Virinia class nuclear attack submarines (SSN) are the latest nuclear attack submarines being built by the US Navy. They are considered the most capable, quietest, and effective nuclear attack submarines in the world, thought the United Kingdom Astute Class SSNs are very close in capabilities and quietness. Ten Virginia class have been completed thus far, including 4 Block I boats, and with the christening of the USS Minnesota, (SSN-783) on October 27, 2012, six Block II boats have also been completed.
Four Block III boats are also building, with another three named and awaiting their turn for construction, and a fourth, SSN-791 as yet unnamed but authorized and ordered.
These boats, all already contracted and built, building, or preparing to build, will total 18 of an envisioned class of at least 30 boats planned.
Capabilities:
The Virginia class nuclear attack submarines are designed for a broad range of flexible open-ocean and littoral missions. This is accomplished by carrying out the following seven mission goals as required:
- Covert Strike by launching land-attack missiles from vertical launchers and torpedo tubes;
- Anti-Submarine Warfare with an advanced combat system and a flexible payload of torpedoes;
- Anti-Ship Warfare, again, using the advanced combat system and torpedoes;
- Battle Group Support with advanced electronic sensors and communications equipment;
- Covert Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, using sensors to collect critical intelligence and locate radar sites, missile batteries and command sites as well as to monitor communications and track ship movements;
- Covert Minelaying against enemy shipping; and
- Special Operations, including search and rescue, reconnaissance, sabotage, diversionary attacks, and direction of fire support and strikes.
Originally designed as a less expensive alternative to the larger Seawolf-class attack submarines, the Virginia class is slated to replace the aging Los Angeles class subs, seventeen of which, from a total of 62 that were built, have already been decommissioned.
The Virginia class incorporates several unique innovations. Instead of periscopes, the subs have a pair of extendable photonics masts outside the pressure hull. Each contains several high-resolution cameras with light-intensification and infrared sensors, an infrared laser rangefinder, and an integrated Electronic Support Measures (ESM) array. Signals from the mast sensors are transmitted through fiber optic links through signal processors to the control center. The subs also make use of pump-jet propulsors for quieter operations.
An advanced electromagnetic signature reduction system built will first appear on the USS California (SSN-781). Through an advanced interfacing software system this will aloow the crew to monitor and reduce the vessels electromagnetic signatures as needed. This capability will be refitted into the earlier seven submarines of the class
The Virginia-class is built through an industrial arrangement designed to keep both GD Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Newport News in the submarine-building business. These two U.S. shipyards are the only two capable of building nuclear-powered submarines. Under the arrangement, the Newport News facility builds the stern, habitability & machinery spaces, torpedo room, sail and bow, while Electric Boat builds the engine room and control room. The facilities alternate working on the reactor plant as well as the final assembly, test, outfit and delivery.
In order to rising costs and get each vessel's price down to $2 billion per submarine in FY-05 dollars, the US Navy instituted a cost-reduction program to save approximately $400 million in costs from each submarine. The project was dubbed "2 for 4 in 12," referring to the Navy's desire to buy two boats for $4 billion in FY-2012. As directed by Congress, the Navy started buying two boats a year in FY-2011. Officials were afriad that this would mean that the first two vessels would not meat the cost goals, but the program manager indicated at a conference on March 19, 2008, that the program was only $30 million away from achieving the $2 billion price goal, and would reach that target on schedule.
Construction:
The US Navy's total requirement is for 30 or more of the class. It placed a bulk-buy contract for the first five ships and, in January 2004, placed a multi-year contract for the following five. In December 2008, the US Navy signed a $14 billion contract with General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman, to supply eight more submarines. The contractors will deliver one submarine in each of fiscal 2009 and 2010, and two submarines on each of fiscal 2011, 2012 and 2013. These contracts will bring the Navy's Virginia-class fleet to 18 submarines.
On 2 June 2012, the Navy christened the USS Mississippi (SSN-782), the ninth in class and the fourth of the Block II submarine. This boat was delivered months ahead of schedule and tens of millions of dollars under budget. The Block II boats are built in four sections, compared to the ten sections of the Block I boats. This increases cost saving and optimizes construction time and efficency.
The first of class, SSN-774, USS Virginia was laid down 2 September 2000, launched 16 August 2003, and commissioned: 23 October 2004
Second in class, SSN-775, USS Texas was laid down: 12 July 2002, launched 9 April 2005, and commissioned: 9 September 2006.
Following this, SSN-776, USS Hawaii was commissioned 5 May 2007, SSN-777, USS North Carolina was commissioned 3 May 2008, SSN-778, USS New Hampshire was commissioned 25 October 2008, SSN-779, USS New Mexico was commissioned in January 2010 and the eigth in class, USS California, SSN-781, was commissioned in October of 2011, USS Mississippi, SSN-782, was commissioned on June 2, 2012, and USS Minnesota, SSN-783, was Christened on October 27, 2012, for commissioning in April of 2013..
Design:
The engineering, design and build teams at Electric Boat in partnership with the Naval Sea Systems Command, NAVSEA, of the US Navy have used extensive CAD/CAE simulation systems to optimise the design of the submarine.
The hull structure contains structurally integrated enclosures, which accommodate standard 19in and 24in width equipment for ease of installation, repair and upgrade of the submarine's systems. The submarine is also fitted with modular isolated deck structures.
The submarine's control suite is equipped with computer touch screens.The submarine's steering and diving control is via a four-button, two-axis joystick.
The noise level of the Virginia is equal to that of the US Navy Seawolf, SSN 21, with a lower acoustic signature than the Russian Improved Akula Class and fourth-generation attack submarines. To achieve this, the Virginia incorporates newly designed anechoic coatings, isolated deck structures and a new design of propulsor.
Command Systems:
The desing of the command and control systems module has been conducted by a team led by Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems – Undersea Systems (NE&SS-US) of Manassas, Virginia. It integrates all of the vessel's systems – sensors, countermeasures, navigation, weapon control, and is based on open system architecture (OSA) with Q-70 colour common display consoles.
Weapon control are provided by Raytheon with a derivative of the CCS mk2 combat system, the AN/BYG-1 combat control system.
The Virginia has two mast-mounted Raytheon submarine high data rate (sub HDR) multi-band satellite communications systems that allow simultaneous communication at super high frequency (SHF) and extremely high frequency (EHF).
Weapons System:
All Virginia class submarines are equipped with 12 vertical launch missile tubes and four 533mm torpedo tubes. The vertical launch system has the capacity to launch 16 Tomahawk submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCM). There is capacity for up to 26 mk48 ADCAP mod 6 heavyweight torpedoes and sub harpoon anti-ship missiles to be fired from those torpedo tubes. Mk60 CAPTOR mines may also be deployed.
An integral lock-out/lock-in chamber is incorporated into the hull for special operations. The chamber can host a mini-submarine, such as Northrop Grumman's Oceanic and Naval Systems Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS), to deliver special warfare forces such as SEAL teams or Marine Force Recon units for counter-terrorism or localised conflict operations.
Propulsion:
The main propulsion unit is the GE pressure water reactor S9G, designed to last as long as the submarine, two turbine engines with one shaft and a United Defense pump jet propulser, providing 30MW (40,000HP). The submerged speed is in excess of 25kts.
Sensors:
The Virginia Class sonar suite provides 360 degree, total coverage. This is accomplished by including bow-mounted active and passive arrays, a stern wide aperture passive array, high-frequency active arrays on the keel and fin, TB 16 towed array and the Lockheed Martin TB-29A thinline towed array, with the AN/BQQ-10(V4) sonar processing system. A Sperry Marine AN/BPS-16(V)4 navigation radar, operating at I-band, is also fitted.
Each submarines has two Kollmorgen AN/BVS-1 photonic masts, rather than optical periscopes. Sensors mounted on the non-hull-penetrating photonic mast include LLTV (low-light TV), thermal imager and laser rangefinder. The mast is the Universal Modular Mast developed by Kollmorgen and its Italian subsidiary, Calzoni.
The Boeing LMRS long-term mine reconnaissance system is deployed on the Virginia Class. LMRS includes two 6m autonomous unmanned underwater vehicles, an 18m robotic recovery arm and support electronics.
Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems is supplying the lightweight, wide-aperture array (LWWAA) system based on fibre-optic arrays, instead of traditional ceramic hydrophone sensors.
LWWAA is a passive ASW sonar system which consists of three large array panels mounted on either side of the submarine's hull.
Countermeasures:
The entire Virginia Class is fitted with the AN/WLY-1 acoustic countermeasures system being developed by Northrop Grumman, which provides range and bearing data, and the mast-mounted AN/BLQ-10 electronic support measures (ESM) system from Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems.
AN/BLQ-10 provides full spectrum radar processing, automatic threat warning and situation assessment.
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