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USS California (SSN-781)

2011 MODERN NAVY

History of USS California (SSN-781)

When the rising cost of procuring and maintaining the Seawolf class nuclear submarine limited its type to just three (29 planned), the United States Navy (USN) was forced to create a cheaper option to consider ahead. This resulted in a whole new class of combat boats, called the Virginia class, with more than a dozen of these units completed from the planned forty-eight (2017). The USS California (SSN-781), the eighth vessel in the group, was ordered in August 2003, laid in May 2009 and commissioned on October 29, 2011.

She fights under the motto "Silence is Golden" thanks to both of you both's natural secrecy and references to California ("Golden State"). She was built by Huntington Ingalls Industries of Newport News Shipbuilding (formerly Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company).

The design of the USS California follows other Virginia class boat products. It displaces 7,800 tons under light load and 7,900 tons under full load. Her length is 377 feet and her width is 34 feet. Internally, a staff of 134 officers assigns their various sites to a strict schedule.

This boat stands out in its class because it is the first to be equipped with an advanced (electromagnetic) signature reduction system.

It is powered by S9G series nuclear reactors. Its name shows "S" for "Submarine," "9" for "Ninth Generation Core," and "G" for designer "General Electric." Designed to operate continuously for up to 33 years, the reactors are a standard pressurized water unit used to generate steam for turbines that drive 40,000 horsepower to a shaft in the stern.

The boat can travel underwater at speeds in excess of 25 knots and has been tested to a depth of 800 feet. Due to the nuclear nature of the propulsion system, the USS California can move indefinitely, limited only by crew fatigue and food supplies.

The armament consists of 4 x 533 mm torpedo tubes located in the bow to accommodate Mk 48 series torpedoes, suitable for use against maritime and underwater threats. Can carry up to 27 torpedoes (or missiles instead). There are 12 Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) that support the BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile from extreme ranges to land targets.

Sea Thunder is also an option for the ship.

California's home port is Groton, Connecticut on the east coast of the United States, with direct access to the Atlantic Ocean and the polar ice caps. As of this writing (2017), she is still in service.