Sailors man the rails as they bring the ship to life during the commissioning ceremony for the Virginia-class attack submarine USS John Warner (SSN-785) on Aug 1, 2015. US Navy Photo
The Navy commissioned its latest Virginia-class nuclear attack boat in a Saturday ceremony honoring its namesake, former U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Navy John Warner. Read More
Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John Warner (SSN-785) conducts sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean on June 9, 2015. US Navy Photo
The Navy has accepted the second Virginia-class (SSN-774) Block III nuclear attack submarine from Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding, the service announced on Thursday. Read More
Attack Submarine John Warner (SSN-785) during May 2015 sea trials HII Photo by Chris Oxley
The attack boat John Warner (SSN-785) successfully completed its first set of sea trials and its first dive on Saturday ahead of an anticipated June delivery to the U.S. Navy, shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries announced on Tuesday. Read More
Several similar Arleigh Burke destroyers. US Navy Photo
Navies like their ships to be as similar as possible – for good reason.
It’s easier to train sailors on similar ships and systems, it’s cheaper to build many ships of the same design in bulk and they’re cheaper to operate and maintain.
Late last year, when the U.S. Navy decided to base its next generation amphibious warship design, the LX(R), on an existing hull it cited cost savings in design, maintenance and manpower as justification.
But occasionally, the mission demands something special, something unique. Read More
USS North Dakota (SSN-784) during August 2013 sea trials. US Navy Photo
The investigation into suspected third party components used in the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarine (SSN-774) program is still ongoing, Naval Sea Systems Command officials told USNI News on Wednesday. Read More
A quartermaster raises the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) flag above the Virginia-class attack submarine USS North Dakota (SSN-784) on Oct. 25, 2014. US Navy Photo
The first of a new block of U.S. nuclear Virginia-class (SSN-774) attack submarines commissioned on Saturday, after a five-month delay amidst an investigation into suspected material deficiencies in third party components on the boat. Read More
North Dakota (SSN 784) is rolled out of an indoor shipyard facility at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn. US Navy Photo
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has concluded an investigation into questionable third party components of its latest Virginia-class attack boat — North Dakota (SSN-784) — clearing the way for the submarine to commission in late October, NAVSEA told USNI News on Thursday. Read More
A unit for the future aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) rests on the assembly platen at Newport News Shipbuilding, Va. US Navy Photo
The following is the June 20, 2014 Congressional Research Service report, Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress. Read More
North Dakota (SSN 784) is rolled out of an indoor shipyard facility at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn. US Navy Photo
The Navy is delaying the commissioning of the first Block III Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine — North Dakota (SSN-784) — pending an investigation into material from a third party vendor that included material in the bow and stern of the boat as well as additional design and certification work on the boat’s redesigned bow, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) officials told USNI News Thursday.
