US Navy Reclassifies 19 Virginia-Class Submarines as Guided Missile SSGNs The US Navy has officially redesignated 19 future Virginia-class submarines from fast attack (SSN) to guided missile submarines (SSGN), recognizing their significantly enhanced strike capability. The reclassification covers Block V and Block VI boats equipped with the 84-foot Virginia Payload Module (VPM), which adds four large vertical launch tubes capable of carrying 28 additional Tomahawk cruise missiles or hypersonic weapons, raising total missile capacity to 40. The move distinguishes these heavily armed submarines from standard attack variants as the aging Ohio-class SSGN fleet, including the USS Georgia (SSBN 729), begins retirement after more than four decades of service. The first VPM-equipped vessel, USS Arizona (SSGN 803), is expected in 2029, with deliveries continuing through 2038 to strengthen Distributed Maritime Operations.
