HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding has delivered the USS Massachusetts (SSN 798) to the US Navy, marking the 25th Virginia-class fast-attack submarine to enter service.
The vessel is the twelfth of its class produced at the yard and the fifth US Navy ship to carry the Massachusetts name. As the seventh Block IV boat, it incorporates design improvements intended to extend time at sea and reduce maintenance demands.
Work on the submarine began in 2020 with a virtually hosted keel-laying ceremony. The ship was christened in May 2023 and launched in February 2024.
Sea trials held in October validated critical navigation, propulsion, and combat capabilities above and below water. Additional testing is underway ahead of commissioning next year.
Over 10,000 skilled shipbuilders and suppliers from Newport News, General Dynamics Electric Boat, and industry partners nationwide supported construction. The boat is part of a multibillion-dollar 2014 program replacing the aging Los Angeles-class fleet.
Built for flexible operations in both open ocean and coastal environments, the Virginia-class is key to maintaining US undersea dominance. Each submarine spans 115–140 meters (377–460 ft) in length, has a 10-meter (34 ft) beam, and delivers speeds above 25 knots via a 280,000-horsepower nuclear propulsion system.
Weapons include torpedoes, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
