US Navy commissions SSN-795 Hyman G. Rickover fast-attack submarine.

The U.S. Navy commissioned the newest Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, the future USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795), on Saturday, October 14, at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut.
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Crewmembers of USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795) perform a ceremonial manning of the ship during a commissioning ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut on October 14, 2023 (Picture source: U.S. Navy/John Narewski)

U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro delivered the principal address. Additional speakers included Adm. James F. Caldwell, director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program; the Honorable Joe Courtney, U.S. representative from Connecticut, and Mr. Kevin Graney, president, General Dynamics Electric Boat. The submarine's sponsor is Darleen Greenert, wife of former Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Jonathan Greenert. As part of the commissioning ceremony tradition, Greenert gave the order to "man our ship and bring her to life."

The future USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795) honors Adm. Hyman G. Rickover, known as the "Father of the Nuclear Navy." This is the second nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine named in recognition of Rickover. The first Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709) was commissioned at Submarine Base, New London, in Groton, Connecticut, July 21, 1984.

Rickover served in the Navy for 63 years on active duty. He recognized the military implications of successfully harnessing atomic power for submarine propulsion and forged an agreement with the Atomic Energy Commission. In just seven years, Rickover and his team obtained congressional support to develop an industrial base in a new technology, pioneered new materials, designed, built and operated a prototype, established a training program, and put to sea the first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus (SSN 571) in 1955.

"Adm. Rickover's impact to our Navy was more than just as a visionary, consequential leader," said Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti. "This commissioning not only honors his legacy, it is a celebration of our Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and its 75 years of excellence. Much like Adm. Rickover himself, this boat is unmatched in its pursuit of excellence. I can't wait to see what the future holds for this crew."

Hyman G. Rickover is the fourth Block IV Virginia-class submarine to enter service, designed with enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements. Hyman G. Rickover will provide the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century.

Adm. James F. Caldwell Jr., director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, delivers remarks during the commissioning ceremony for USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795) at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut on October 14, 2023 (Picture source: U.S. Navy/Chief Petty Officer Joshua Karsten)

Virginia-class submarines

Virginia-class submarines are designed for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions, including anti-submarine warfare and intelligence-gathering operations. They are scheduled to replace older Los Angeles-class submarines, many of which have already been decommissioned. Virginia-class submarines will be acquired through 2043, and are expected to remain in service until at least 2060, with later submarines expected to operate into the 2070s.

On 14 March 2023, the trilateral Australian-British-American security pact known as AUKUS announced that the Royal Australian Navy would purchase three Virginia-class submarines as a stopgap measure between the retirement of their conventionally powered Collins-class submarines and the acquisition of the future SSN-AUKUS class submarines. If the SSN-AUKUS fell behind schedule, Australia would have the option of purchasing two additional Virginia-class submarines.