The Virginia-class submarine is a type of nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarine. They are in service with the United States Navy. The Virginia class is also known as the SSN-774 class. They can be equipped with ballistic weapons and can carry nuclear weapons. These submarines could one day be used to counter terrorists and other threats.
Block V
The Virginia class submarines have a remarkable firepower. Block V models are eighty feet long, and come with a Virginia Payload Modul that measures eighty. Although Chinese submarines might not have the same firepower and sophisticated sensing systems as a Virginia-class submarine they are likely to be equipped with similar advanced technology.
The Virginia-class procurement program has been hailed as an excellent example of how to procure a ship with a high degree of efficiency. The program has a track record of success, and ships were delivered on time and at cost. Its delivery times were reduced from 84 to 72 months for Block III to 66 months in Block IV.
Design changes
The Virginia-class submarine is in the process of undergoing major design changes. The changes will increase the number of torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles the sub can carry. These modifications will be carried out in Nashua, New Hampshire, and Syracuse, New York. These changes will save the Navy $40 millions per ship and increase the Virginia-class' payload flexibility.
12 vertical launch tubes will be used to launch submarines of the Virginia class. These tubes will be wider and smaller in cross-section. The subs share common technology which means that any innovations can also be applied to other submarine classes. In the long term, the design changes should save $8 million.
Prices
The US Navy is currently building the USS District of Columbia, its first submarine of the Virginia-class. The keel was laid on June 4, but construction is behind schedule. The project has not been completed as planned due to errors, quality issues, and delays in suppliers materials.
The Virginia-class submarine is expected to be less costly than other submarines of the same class, according to Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. Clark pointed out that the Navy, EB and other submarine builders have always completed submarines on time and that improvements to shipyards were made in 2000. Due to the addition of a missile module, the next block Virginia-class submarines will cost more than $3Billion.
Delivery schedule
The US Navy has awarded a $13.1 million contract to General Dynamics Electric to build Virginia-class submarines. These submarines will be the Navy's latest stealth multimission vessels and can be used for both shallow-water anti-submarine warfare and deep-ocean operations. Composite parts will be manufactured by Goodrich’s Engineered Polymer Products Team. They currently build components for two submarines per year, one in 2009 and 2010, and two ships each year between 2011 and 2013. These components include bow domes, sonar, weapons equipment, and other parts.
Block IV of the Virginia-class submarines is followed by Block V, which has ten boats. The Block V boats will incorporate a Virginia Payload Module, giving them guided-missile capability once the SSGNs are retired. The Navy has ordered nine new Virginia submarines. It will include eight Block Vs (and one Block IV). A tenth submarine can be ordered by the Navy at a later point.
Contractors
General Dynamics Electric Boat received a modified contract from the U.S. Navy in support of its Virginia-class submarines. This contract, worth $532.9million will cover work in the company's facilities of Groton and Newport News. The Navy's latest undersea warfare platform is the Virginia-class submarines. They can conduct anti-submarine war operations in deep sea waters and can also carry out ISR (intelligence. surveillance. and reconnaissance) missions. They are also capable of supporting battle parties and engaging in mine warfare.
In five years, the Virginia-class submarines will be complete. The contract will cover planning, material procurement, repair, and maintenance. Huntington Ingalls & General Dynamics Electric Boat were both involved in this project.