Innovations of Virginia Class Submarine
The Virginia-class incorporates several innovations not previously seen in other submarine classes.
Photonics Masts
Instead of a traditional periscope, the class utilizes a pair of telescoping photonics masts located outside the pressure hull. Each mast contains high-resolution cameras, along with light-intensification and infrared sensors, an infrared laser rangefinder, and an integrated Electronic Support Measures (ESM) array. Signals from the masts' sensors are transmitted through fiber optic data lines through signal processors to the control center. Visual feeds from the masts are displayed on LCD interfaces in the command center.
Propulsion
The class also makes use of pump-jet propulsors, which significantly reduces the risks of cavitation, allowing for quieter and faster operations.
Sonar
The Virginia class submarines are equipped with a bow-mounted spherical active/passive sonar array, a wide aperture lightweight fiber optic sonar array (three flat panels mounted low along either side of the hull), as well as two high frequency active sonars mounted in the sail and keel (under the bow). The submarines are also equipped with a low frequency towed sonar array and a high frequency towed sonar array.
USS California will be the first Virginia with the advanced electromagnetic signature reduction system built in, but this will be retrofitted into the other submarines of the class.
Specifications of Virginia class submarine
- Builders: GD Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Newport News
- Length: 377 ft (114.91 m)
- Beam: 34 ft (10.36 m)
- Displacement: 7,800 long tons (7,900 t)
- Payload: 40 weapons, special operations forces, unmanned undersea vehicles, Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS)
- Propulsion: The S9G nuclear reactor
- Maximum diving depth: greater than 800 ft (244 m)
- Speed: 25+ knots
- Planned cost: about US$1.65 billion each (based on FY95 dollars, 30-ship class and two ship/year build-rate, which has not yet been authorized)
- Actual cost: about $1.8 billion each (as of 2009)
- Crew: 120 enlisted and 14 officers
- Armament: 12 VLS & four torpedo tubes, capable of launching Mark 48 torpedoes, Harpoon missiles, UGM-109 Tactical Tomahawks, and the new advanced mobile mine when it comes available.
| Virginia Class Submarine overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Virginia |
| Builders: | General Dynamics Electric Boat Northrop Grumman Newport News |
| Operators: |  United States Navy |
| Preceded by: | Seawolf class attack submarine Los Angeles class attack submarine |
| Cost: | $1.8 billion per unit 2009 |
| Built: | 2000 – present |
| In commission: | 2004 – present |
| Building: | 3 |
| Planned: | 30 |
| Completed: | 7 |
| Active: | 7 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Attack submarine |
| Displacement: | 7,900 metric tons (7,800 long tons) |
| Length: | 377 feet (115 m) |
| Beam: | 34 feet (10 m) |
| Propulsion: | S9G reactor |
| Speed: | 25+ knots (45+ km/h) |
| Range: | unlimited except by food supplies |
| Test depth: | 800+ ft (250+ m) |
| Complement: | 134 |
| Armament: | 12 × VLS (BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile) & 4 × 533mm torpedo tubes (Mk-48 torpedo) |
| Notes: | Ships in class include: Virginia, Texas, Hawaii, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Missouri, California, Mississippi, Minnesota, North Dakota, John Warner |
