What To Know
- More submarines on the horizonThe USS Iowa marks the sixth delivery out of ten submarines ordered in 2014 and represents the twenty-fourth Virginia-class submarine delivered since 2004.
- The commissioning of a submarine involves an official ceremony open for public attendance through ticket acquisition on the official USS Iowa website.
- In accordance with current schedules and barring any delays, the USS Iowa is set to officially join active service on April 5, 2025, at a naval base in Connecticut (Northeast United States).
Just before Christmas, the US Navy received a new nuclear attack submarine.
a deep-sea giant
On December 21, 2024, the US Navy welcomed its twelfth nuclear attack submarine of the year. The USS Iowa, codenamed SSN 797, is a Virginia-class vessel poised for service over the next 30 years. Newly delivered and soon to be commissioned by the Navy, the USS Iowa is a formidable presence beneath the waves. This nuclear-powered attack submarine stretches an impressive 377 feet in length and spans a width of 34 feet, displacing up to 7,900 tons of water. Propelled by a nuclear reactor, it achieves an average speed of approximately 29 mph (25 knots), allowing it to dive as deep as 790 feet.
The submarine’s capacity includes housing a crew of 135 alongside an extensive arsenal. Ordered in 2014 alongside other similar vessels, it comes with a price tag exceeding $2.5 billion. This engineering feat is credited to General Dynamics Electric Boat, a storied shipbuilder for the US Navy since 1931. Their inaugural vessel, the USS Cuttlefish (SS-171), was a diesel-electric submarine that served from 1934 until decommissioned in 1947.
more submarines on the horizon
The USS Iowa marks the sixth delivery out of ten submarines ordered in 2014 and represents the twenty-fourth Virginia-class submarine delivered since 2004. The US Navy anticipates sixteen more vessels to bolster its maritime capabilities further. Future iterations of this class will be slightly larger and are expected to bear even more equipment and armaments, enhancing America’s ability to assert its maritime sovereignty.
when will the USS Iowa enter service?
The commissioning of a submarine involves an official ceremony open for public attendance through ticket acquisition on the official USS Iowa website. Interested individuals must complete an official form and submit a request to the US Navy. In accordance with current schedules and barring any delays, the USS Iowa is set to officially join active service on April 5, 2025, at a naval base in Connecticut (Northeast United States).
