The US Navy has formally received the USS Massachusetts (SSN 798), the 25th Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, built by HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division. The submarine is the shipyard’s 12th Virginia-class delivery and the fifth vessel to carry the name Massachusetts. It is also the seventh Block IV submarine, optimized to require fewer maintenance periods and deliver greater operational availability. Construction began in 2020, with the keel-laying held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions. The vessel was christened in May 2023 by sponsor Sheryl Sandberg and launched in February 2024. Initial sea trials in October evaluated navigation, propulsion, combat systems, and high-speed performance both underwater and on the surface. The submarine will undergo more trials before commissioning next year. Over 10,000 shipbuilders from Newport News, General Dynamics Electric Boat, and thousands of suppliers nationwide contributed to the program. Awarded in 2014, the Virginia-class construction contract supports the US Navy’s long-term plan to replace aging Los Angeles-class submarines. Virginia-class boats are designed for both deep-ocean and littoral missions, measuring 115–140 meters with a 10-meter beam. Each submarine features a 280,000-horsepower nuclear reactor, pump-jet propulsion, and armaments including torpedoes, Tomahawk missiles, and Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
