According to information published by the US Government on December 23, 2022, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes $32.6 billion for Navy shipbuilding, an increase of $4.7 billion.
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Virginia class submarine USS Hyman G. Rickover. (Picture source: US Navy)
This will fund 11 battle force ships including three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers; two Virginia-class submarines; two expeditionary fast transports; one Constellation-class frigate; one San Antonio-class amphibious ship; one John Lewis-class oiler and one Navajo-class towing, salvage and rescue ship.
About the Virginia class submarines
The Virginia class, also known as the SSN-774 class, is a class of nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarines, in service in the United States Navy.
Designed by General Dynamics Electric Boat (EB) and Huntington Ingalls Industries, the Virginia class is the United States Navy's latest submarine model.
The Virginia-class design was developed to be less expensive and better optimized for post-Cold War submarine missions than the Seawolf-class design.
The baseline Virginia-class design is slightly larger than the Los Angeles-class design but incorporates newer technologies, including technologies used in the Seawolf-class design.
The class is designed to be capable of targeting, controlling, and launching Mk 48 Advanced Capability torpedoes, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and mines.
The submarines are being procured and incrementally upgraded in a series of blocks. Each block is procured with a multi-year contract; however, not each block will incorporate a major design change.
They have many innovations, such as an integrated command, control, communications, and intelligence (C3I) system, non-hull-penetrating photonics masts, and a reconfigurable torpedo room to accommodate a large number of Special Operations Force personnel.
