USS Arkansas Christened: A Submarine for Modern Era.

According to a PR published by HII on December 7, 2024, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) christened the Virginia-class attack submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) at its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) is christened at Newport News Shipbuilding. (Picture source: Huntington Ingalls Industries)

The Virginia-class submarines are advanced nuclear-powered attack platforms that serve as the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s undersea warfare capability. These submarines are built with cutting-edge technology to excel in multi-domain operations, providing superior stealth, maneuverability, and firepower.

Constructed with a modular design approach, the Virginia-class incorporates hybrid fiber-reinforced polymer and steel construction for durability and acoustic dampening. Their pump-jet propulsion systems replace traditional propellers, minimizing cavitation and acoustic signature, crucial for stealth in contested environments. The hull's design, which includes advanced anechoic coatings and optimized shaping, further reduces noise emissions and enhances sonar evasion.

The submarines are powered by a General Electric S9G nuclear reactor, which generates propulsion energy and power for onboard systems. This reactor is designed for a 33-year lifecycle, eliminating the need for mid-life refueling and allowing for extended operational deployments. The integrated electrical power distribution supports high-demand systems, including advanced sonar arrays and combat electronics.

Equipped with the BYG-1 Integrated Combat System, the Virginia class leverages modular open-system architecture for seamless software upgrades, enabling rapid adoption of new capabilities. The combat system integrates with the BQQ-10 sonar suite, a state-of-the-art passive and active sonar system capable of detecting and classifying contacts with exceptional precision.

One of the defining features of the Virginia class is the Vertical Launch System (VLS), capable of deploying Tomahawk cruise missiles. Later blocks incorporate the Virginia Payload Module (VPM), which expands missile capacity by adding four additional large-diameter payload tubes, accommodating up to 40 Tomahawk missiles. This enhancement significantly boosts strike capability, particularly in land-attack missions.

For close engagements, the submarines are armed with MK-48 ADCAP (Advanced Capability) torpedoes, launched from four 533mm torpedo tubes. These heavyweight torpedoes feature advanced guidance systems, including active and passive homing, enabling effective targeting against surface ships and submarines.

In terms of mobility, the Virginia class features fly-by-wire control systems, enhancing maneuverability in littoral environments. These systems are paired with retractable bow planes and advanced ballast systems to support operations at variable depths, including shallow-water missions. Their diving depth exceeds 800 feet, providing a strategic advantage in deep-sea and undersea ridge operations.

The Virginia class also integrates advanced systems for special operations support, including a lock-in/lock-out chamber for deploying Navy SEALs. These submarines are equipped to launch and recover unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), further enhancing their ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and mine countermeasure capabilities.