USS Virginia (SSN-774)

History of the USS Virginia (SSN-774)

USS Virginia (SSN-774) is a modern nuclear-powered attack submarine in active service with the United States Navy. The ship is a formidable underwater weapon, capable of fighting both above- and below-water threats with equal lethality out of sight. Nuclear-powered submarines are a lethal component of the U.S. Navy's global operations and provide a first-strike capability unmatched anywhere in the world.

The USS Virginia was the first USN submarine designed entirely by computer-aided software and is recognized by many as "the most technologically advanced submarine in the world". The ship is also believed to be the first submarine without a real periscope.

The USS Virginia was ordered on September 30, 1998, and its keel was laid on September 2, 1999 by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Drydock Company. She was officially launched on August 16, 2003, and officially commissioned on October 23, 2004.

Her hometown is in Groton, Connecticut, and she fought under the motto "Sic Semper Tyrannis," which translates to "Thus Always To Tyrants." The ship's logo includes an approaching battleship USS Virginia with a figure of George Washington on it, and Virginia is included in the top left area. The nine stars represent the previous nine ships named "Virginia" (SSN-774 is the tenth). The USS Virginia is the lead ship in its class ("Virginia class") of 18 ships (some still under construction or on order as of 2013). In homage to the commissioning of the first U.S.

Navy submarine USS Holland (SS-1) in 1900, the USS Virginia, after five years of construction at a cost of $2 billion, was seized by the U.S. Navy on October 12, 2004 .

The USS Virginia had a displacement of 7,800 tons, a barrel length of 377 feet, a width (width) of 34 feet, and a draft (height) of 32 feet. The Virginia and her sister ships have an overall design that is longer and lighter than the continuing Seawolf-class ships. It was staffed by 15 officers and 117 soldiers (132-134 in total).

Power is provided by the S9G series ("S" = submarine, "9" = 9th generation, "G" = General Electric) nuclear reactors, which provide essentially unlimited range. Under ideal conditions, Virginia can hit 25 knots. Armament is via a 12x Vertical Launch System (VLS), a Tomahawk cruise missile primarily used against land-based targets. This is supported by 4 x 21" (530 mm) torpedo tubes for standard anti-ship/anti-submarine operations. The ship can also drop mines if required.

The hull of the USS Virginia (and her class) has a pressure chamber that is used for Designed to be deployed by Special Forces personnel. The SEAL small submarine can be carried along the ridge behind the sail.

The digital nature of Virginia's design allows her to instantly integrate into JTF missions and fleet surface battle groups.

Externally, the USS Virginia uses the well-accepted tubular shape common to all modern submarines. The turret is well set up with a multipurpose digital mast, communications and navigation system, while available night vision and infrared cameras enhance tactical flexibility. The sonar array is located at the front of the sail. At the bow of the hull is an extended-range spherical sonar unit. The unit is protected by baffles that prevent the ship's own noise from interfering with search and tracking.

The boat can tow an array to cover the fragile stern of the boat, and additional arrays are installed along the sides of the hull to complete the coverage. The VLS tube is located in front of the sail and behind the bow sonar ball. The torpedo tubes are mounted on the side of the boat near the sails, and the torpedo room is just aft. The ship's command center is below and behind the sails. The hull placement allows more equipment to be installed (as opposed to the more traditional turret placement that limits interior space).

The crew quarters are located near the midship and are equipped with mess halls, showers and bunk beds (119 bunk beds, with additional space in the torpedo room if required). The nuclear reactor is located behind the crew quarters and there is a control room behind the reactor room. The engine room (containing the machinery, electrical wiring and desalination system) occupies most of the rear of the ship. Ballast tanks are located near the bow and stern.

The main dive planes sit on either side of the bow in the usual way. Aft directional control is via a dorsal and ventral rudder and two horizontal stern planes. The drive channel protects the propeller from detection and possible damage.

Since commissioning in 2004, the USS Virginia has become a key player in ongoing U.S. military operations related to Afghanistan and Iraq. In early deployments, she has made stops in Spain, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and elsewhere. She completed her first deployment in November 2005 and underwent an overhaul in 2011-2012. She has been active in the U.S.

Navy fleet since 2013??.

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