The U.S. Navy has christened the future USS Utah (SSN 801) at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, marking the final Block IV Virginia-class attack submarine. This milestone strengthens undersea operational capabilities as the Navy transitions toward the Columbia program and next-generation SSN(X) submarines.
USS Utah: Specifications and Armament
USS Utah is equipped with a life-of-ship S9G reactor, Large Aperture Bow (LAB) sonar, photonics masts, and an AN/BYG-1 open architecture combat system. The submarine carries Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles from bow payload tubes, enabling intelligence gathering, anti-submarine warfare, and precision strike missions.
- Length and Displacement: 377 feet, 34 feet beam, approximately 7,800 tons submerged
- Crew: 145 personnel
- Speed: Over 25 knots
- Weapons: 4 × 533 mm torpedo tubes, 2 × 87-inch Virginia Payload Tubes
Final Hull of Block IV Series
USS Utah closes the Block IV Virginia production run, covering SSN 792 through SSN 801 with a total value of $17.6 billion. Block IV is designed to reduce depot maintenance periods and increase forward deployments, maintaining U.S. strategic presence in critical maritime regions.
Advanced Sensors and Mission Capabilities
The water-backed LAB sonar and photonics masts replace traditional periscopes, enhancing passive detection and control room space. Utah performs a range of missions, from anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare to precision land strikes, intelligence collection, and special operations support.
Industrial and Strategic Significance
The production of USS Utah demonstrates the sustained two-yard rhythm between Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding, supporting increased Virginia-class output while allocating industrial capacity for Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines. Block IV design reduces maintenance time, maximizing operational deployment.
International Comparison and Future Outlook
Compared to Russia’s Yasen-M, France’s Suffren, and the UK’s Astute-class submarines, Virginia-class boats stand out for their quiet operation, open architecture, and high production rate. USS Utah lays the foundation for Block V and SSN(X), strengthening the U.S. Navy’s undersea capabilities for decades to come.
