According to a report from the CNN website on December 3, the Virginia-class submarine is an important multi-mission underwater platform for the US Navy. They can strike other submarines, surface ships, and land targets, and conduct special operations including intelligence gathering and reconnaissance.
At present, 18 such submarines have been assigned to the US Navy, and another 10 are in different stages of construction.
American Media stated that the newly purchased nine submarines will be significantly upgraded from the previous ones. The US Navy also has the option to purchase a 10th submarine in the contract, which will bring the contract value to $ 24 billion.
In a statement issued on the US Navy's website on the 2nd, Naval Submarine Project Executive Major General David Goggins called these submarines "a generational leap in naval submarine capabilities."
The report states that the new Virginia class will become larger, with a displacement of 10,200 tons, and the current model is 7,800 tons. They will also be longer, up to 140.2 meters, and the current model length is 114.9 meters. Their firepower will also be greatly enhanced, capable of launching strikes with 40 Tomahawk cruise missiles, compared with only 12 on the current model.
It is reported that these submarines will be built by the main contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat Company and subcontractor Huntington-Ingles, based in Groton, Connecticut.
The first Virginia-class nuclear submarine was delivered in 2004. It is reported that the 9 new submarines purchased this time will replace some old Los Angeles-class attack submarines. The latter was first listed in the 1970s. The US Navy says the new submarine is scheduled to be delivered between 2025 and 2029.
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