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USS Iowa Virginia-class submarine joins the US Navy with superior stealth and strike capabilities.
On December 22, 2024, the U.S. Navy received the Virginia-class submarine USS Iowa (SSN-797), marking its official delivery from General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB). This delivery represents the 12th battle force ship provided to the Navy in 2024 and the 24th Virginia-class submarine constructed under a collaboration between GDEB and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding. It is the 13th attack submarine built by GDEB.
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The USS Iowa is equipped with advanced systems, including photonics masts that replace traditional periscopes and provide thermal imaging and low-light camera capabilities. (Picture source: US Navy)
Following its delivery, the USS Iowa will undergo final tests and trials before its commissioning, scheduled for April 5, 2025, in Groton, Connecticut. The submarine is part of the Block IV configuration, designed to reduce maintenance needs and extend operational availability. It has a displacement of 7,800 tons, a length of 115 meters, and a beam of 10.4 meters. Powered by an S9G nuclear reactor, the vessel can remain submerged for up to three months. Its propulsion system uses pump-jet technology, allowing for quieter and more efficient movement.
The USS Iowa is equipped with advanced systems, including photonics masts that replace traditional periscopes and provide thermal imaging and low-light camera capabilities. Its armament includes four 21-inch torpedo tubes for Mk-48 torpedoes and two Virginia Payload Tubes, each capable of launching six Tomahawk cruise missiles. These features make the submarine suitable for a range of operations, including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and long-range strikes.
This submarine is the first to bear the name USS Iowa and is the fifth U.S. naval vessel named after the state of Iowa. The most notable predecessor was the USS Iowa (BB-61), a battleship that served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The crest of SSN-797 incorporates elements from Iowa's history and the legacy of BB-61, including the state seal, a teak border symbolizing BB-61’s deck, and a wreath honoring the 47 sailors lost in a turret explosion aboard BB-61 in 1989. A clover commemorates the Sullivan brothers, five siblings from Iowa who died during World War II.
The submarine was christened on June 17, 2023, by its sponsor, Ms. Christie Vilsack, at the GDEB shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. Its construction began with the keel laying on August 20, 2019, at GDEB’s Quonset Point facility in Rhode Island. The USS Iowa’s motto, "Our Liberties We Prize, Our Rights We Will Maintain," reflects the state’s motto.
The submarine’s design includes features to support Special Operations Forces (SOF), such as a reconfigurable torpedo room to accommodate personnel and equipment. It is also one of the first fast-attack submarines specifically designed with accommodations for female crew members, aligning with the Navy’s efforts to improve inclusivity and support STEM opportunities.
The construction of the USS Iowa involved a division of responsibilities: GDEB built the forward half of the submarine in Groton, while Newport News Shipbuilding constructed the reactor and power unit. This partnership aims to ensure efficiency and adherence to quality standards.
Virginia-class submarines, first introduced with the commissioning of USS Virginia (SSN-774) in 2004, serve as critical components of the Navy’s undersea fleet. The Block IV configuration emphasizes reduced lifecycle costs and enhanced operational readiness. The USS Iowa will enhance the Navy’s capabilities in stealth, endurance, and versatility, contributing to missions that include intelligence, surveillance, and strike operations.
Once commissioned, the USS Iowa will undergo rigorous testing to ensure operational readiness. It is expected to provide a significant addition to the Navy’s undersea force, supporting national security objectives and maintaining technological and strategic advantages in undersea operations.