Virginia-Class Submarines: Upgraded and Unstoppable

Fitted with MK48 heavyweight torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles, fast-attack submarines such as the Virginia - A class can instill fear into an enemy fleet when it rains down terror.

Following a substantial contract with BAE Systems, the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-Class attack submarines will be equipped with enhanced weaponry, specifically an increased number of Tomahawk missiles.

The Virginia-class submarines represent the pinnacle of advanced fast-attack submarines globally.

Increased Armament for the Virginia-Class Submarines

The agreement focuses on upgrading the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) of the fast-attack submarine with the objective of boosting its firepower. Every VPM tube has the capability to deploy as many as seven Tomahawk cruise missiles.

A long-range, all-weather cruise missile, the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM), is mainly employed for deep land strike operations. The range of these missiles varies with their model but can extend up to approximately 1,600 miles to hit targeted areas.

"These missile tubes provide essential artillery power to the Virginia-class submarine fleet , serves as a foundation for U.S. national security," said Charles Lewis, who leads the BAE Systems Submarine Programs within the Platforms & Services division. said .

The U.S. Navy has granted General Dynamics a $1.06 billion contract for acquiring the required materials needed for upgrading the Virginia-class submarines as part of the Block VI initiative. Additionally, BAE Systems has secured a $70 million subcontract under this larger project.

"By continuing to produce VPMs at our plant in Louisville, Kentucky, we uphold significant backing for the industrial sector, while simultaneously guaranteeing that sailors get the equipment necessary to safeguard our nation," Lewis emphasized.

Similar to the majority of the Navy’s submarine fleet, Virginia-class submarines are driven by nuclear power They can stay out at sea for extended durations and need to dock only for supplies like food and ammunition.

The Navy recently commissioned the 24th Virginia-class ship.

The Navy’s Assault Submarines Surpass All Others

Submarines play a crucial role in the Navy’s fleet. Their capability to monitor and neutralize hostile maritime traffic has the potential to alter the course of possible confrontations. China In the Indo-Pacific area, the Chinese Navy has the capability to deploy more than 700 destroyers, submarines, support ships, and patrol boats in an engagement. Having fewer than half of those units accessible , the U.S. Navy Would require maximizing its advantages. Submarines are undoubtedly an advantage.

The responsibility for countering Chinese aggression would largely rest on the Navy’s fast-attack submarine fleet. The main objective of these fast-attack submarines is to locate and neutralize hostile vessels. Armed with MK48 heavyweight torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles, they possess the capability to unleash significant havoc upon opposing fleets. Currently, the Navy has at its disposal three categories of such fast-attack submarines. Los Angeles -class, the Seawolf -class, and the Virginia -class.

According to The Navy’s fast-attack submarines are engineered for locating and neutralizing hostile submarines and surface vessels. They also have the capability to launch power assaults onto land using Tomahawk cruise missiles and Special Operations Forces (SOF). Additionally, these subs perform Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) tasks, assist in battle group activities, and participate in mine warfare operations.

However, submarines also exert a significant psychological impact. Simply put, the fear of potential submarine attacks can compel opponents to allocate substantially greater assets towards counter-submarine efforts or significantly limit their own activities entirely. In World War II, the Allies dedicated considerable resources to countering German U-boat packs; despite this, these submarine groups managed to destroy millions of tons worth of supplies.

About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou

Stavros Atlamazoglou is an experienced defense journalist with expertise in special operations Additionally, he is a veteran of the Hellenic Army (having completed national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and at Army Headquarters). He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and went on to obtain his Master’s from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His writings have appeared in various publications. Business Insider , Sandboxx , and SOFREP .

Image : Wikimedia Commons.