The Virginia-class attack submarines (SSN) are the first U.S. submarines to be designed for battlespace dominance across a broad spectrum of regional and littoral missions. They complement the Seawolf class's capabilities for open-ocean, blue water missions, and are slated to replace the aging fleet of Los Angeles class attack submarines, some of which have already been decommissioned.

The Virginias incorporate several innovative design features. Perhaps the most radical change occurred in the sensor suite: Virginias have no periscopes. Rather, two extensible "photonics masts" are installed outside the pressure hull, each of which contain several high-resolution, color cameras with enhanced infrared and low-level light image enhancement features, an infrared laser range finder, and an integrated Electronic Support Measures (ESM) array and associated signal processing for unparalleled situational awareness. Signals from the masts' sensors are transmitted through fiber optic data lines to the control center.

To reduce costs, the Virginia-class make extensive use of 'off-the-shelf' components (especially in the onboard computer system and data network), which also shortens development timeframes. The Virginias have a unit cost roughly half that of a Seawolf.

A preliminary Pentagon budget draft circulated in January 2005 indicated that the Virginia-class submarine program may be deeply cut due to the growing Federal budget deficit.

General Characteristics

• Builders: Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding
• Length: (114.91 meters) 377 feet
• Beam: (10.36 meters) 34 feet
• Displacement: 7,800 tons
• Propulsion: S9G reactor
• Max. Diving Depth: "Greater than 800 feet" (244 meters)
• Speed: 25+ knots
• Cost: about US$1.65 billion each (based on FY95 dollars and 30-ship class)
• Crew: 134 Officers and Enlisted
• Armament: Tomahawk missiles, VLS tubes, Mark 48 torpedoes, four torpedo tubes, advanced mobile mines, and unmanned undersea vehicles .

Ships

• USS Virginia (SSN-774), commissioned and in service
• USS Texas (SSN-775), under sea trials; delivery in 2005
• USS Hawaii (SSN-776), under construction; delivery in 2007
• USS North Carolina (SSN-777), named December 11, 2000; delivery in 2006
• USS New Hampshire (SSN-778) has been ordered for delivery in 2010
• USS New Mexico (SSN-779) has been ordered for delivery in 2010

• SSN-780 through SSN-782 are planned to be ordered in 2006 and will complete the first "batch" or "flight" of this class
• SSN-783 through SSN-792 are planned to comprise the second "batch" or "flight"
• SSN-793 through SSN-803 are planned to comprise the third "batch" or "flight" SSN-803 is planned to be ordered in 2014 for delivery in 2020