HII has confirmed the successful completion of initial sea trials for the US Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarine USS Massachusetts (SSN 798), the company stated.
The submarine spent several days at sea as part of testing led by HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division and the Navy, which included submerging for the first time and conducting high-speed manoeuvres both on the surface and underwater.
Further testing will continue before the vessel’s formal delivery to the fleet.
“Our entire team at Newport News Shipbuilding understands the importance of delivering capability to our fleet,” said Kari Wilkinson, president of Newport News Shipbuilding. “Proving capabilities through this first sea trial for Massachusetts is an important step in demonstrating this and we are honored to support the mission.”
USS Massachusetts is the 25th Virginia-class submarine and the 12th built by Newport News Shipbuilding. The vessel was christened in May 2023 by sponsor Sheryl Sandberg and launched in February 2024. It will be commissioned in Boston in late 2025, according to the Navy.
Ordered in 2014 under a $17.6 billion contract awarded to General Dynamics Electric Boat, Massachusetts is the first Navy vessel to bear the state’s name since the battleship USS Massachusetts was decommissioned in 1947.
The submarine displaces 7,800 tons, measures 377 feet in length, and is powered by an S9G nuclear reactor. It carries Tomahawk cruise missiles and Mk-48 torpedoes and can remain submerged for up to three months.
Powerful boat.
Safe sailing USS Massachusetts
Not one of the block V with the VPM then?
No, Block IV …..
Number 25 not commission until 2026.. that is about 3 years latter that it was scheduled. The thing is by the end 2026 I believe the USN will only have 20 LA class and 3 seawolf that’s a long way from the 66 in total.
How many UK ssns are at Sea right now?