General Dynamics holds keel-laying ceremony for Virginia-class submarine USS Tang.

According to information published by General Dynamics Electric Boat on August 17, 2023, the company proudly announces the keel laying of the forthcoming USS Tang. The SSN 805 Tang will be the third U.S. Navy submarine to bear this illustrious name.
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Keel laying ceremony of the fourth Block V Virginia class submarine USS Tang. (Picture source: GDEB)

Manufactured jointly by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding, the USS Tang is a premier model in the Block V series, presenting significant advancements over its predecessors.

With a displacement of 10,200 tons and stretching 460 feet in length, the Tang ranks among the largest submarines in the US fleet, only surpassed by the Ohio class.

The submarine's propulsion relies on an S9G reactor, further boosted by an auxiliary diesel engine. This combination propels the Tang to speeds of up to 25 knots. A defining characteristic of the Tang is its remarkable endurance, with the capability to stay submerged for over three months.

The hallmark of the Block V Virginia-class submarines is the Virginia Payload Module (VPM). Often referred to as a "hull plug," the VPM greatly expands the submarine's payload capacity. Thanks to the VPM, the Block V submarines can house three times the number of Tomahawk missiles compared to their Block IV counterparts.

About the class

Originally, the construction of these advanced submarines was slated to begin in 2019. However, this timeline was pushed to 2020. Acknowledging the game-changing potential of these submarines, the U.S. Navy placed a significant order in December 2019, which comprised nine new Virginia-class submarines with an option to add one more.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report in June 2023, shedding light on the ongoing status of the Block V Virginia-class submarines.

This report underscored a concerning trend in VCS production. Construction timelines have been extended, with each Block V submarine now taking over two years longer to build than initially anticipated. This setback is primarily due to the unforeseen challenges in meeting staffing goals and achieving desired work efficiency.