Attack submarine model could help the US dominate the seabed

The US is developing a new nuclear attack submarine that is expected to beat its competitors once launched.

The US Navy first announced the project to develop a Next Generation Attack Submarine, called SSN(X), a decade ago, to replace the Virginia-class nuclear submarine. According to the plan, the force will complete the project's technical requirements analysis this year and begin building the SSN(X) in the mid-2030s.

The US Navy has proposed a budget of 554.7 million USD in fiscal year 2024 for research and development of the SSN(X) project, an increase of 130% compared to last year. Of this, 361.6 million USD will be used for general development activities, the rest will be used to manufacture nuclear engines equipped on the new generation submarine model.

The SSN(X) is estimated to cost $6.7-8 billion each. The reason the US decided to spend billions of dollars on this class of attack submarines is said to be the recent rise of the Chinese and Russian navies, according to Popular Mechanics .

The first SSN(X) is scheduled to be launched in 2034, shortly after the last Virginia-class submarine enters service. The Navy began purchasing Virginia-class submarines in fiscal 1998 and has maintained a rate of two a year since 2011.

The service currently has a total of 21 Virginia-class submarines, three of which are Block IV. The latest Block V version is under construction at General Dynamics and Huntington Ingalls Industries.

The Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine USS Minnesota was built at a shipyard in Virginia in November 2012. Photo: US Navy

Virginia was considered the most modern submarine class in the world at the time of its launch, equipped with advanced support features such as CATIA 3D imaging technology. The Block V version is equipped with the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) with 4 tubes capable of carrying 28 of the latest Tomahawk Block V cruise missiles, in addition to 12 missiles placed in vertical launch tubes, helping the ship to attack both land and underwater targets.

The SSN(X)-class submarines are also expected to be built by subsidiaries of General Dynamics and Huntington Ingalls Industries, as these are the only two American companies with facilities suitable for producing nuclear attack submarines.

In the budget proposal for the SSN(X) project development in fiscal year 2022, the US Navy said that this new generation submarine model will have faster movement speed and better stealth capabilities than the old class, and can operate in many different marine environmental conditions.

The SSN(X) is also designed to carry a wide range of weapons and perform a variety of missions, with a focus on anti-submarine warfare (ASW), including the ability to engage large numbers of enemy submarines simultaneously. The Virginia-class submarines, on the other hand, were originally built primarily for operations in coastal areas.

"SSN(X) is designed to address the growing threat from near-peer competitors competing for undersea dominance," the US Navy stressed. "It will have a comprehensive undersea warfare capability, as well as the ability to coordinate operations with other ships and sensors."

The SSN(X) submarine's specific specifications have not been released, but experts say it will have larger side sonar sensors, quieter engines, and more torpedo tubes than the Virginia-class. It may also be equipped with laser weapons.

Graphic image of SSN(X) project submarine. Photo: General Dynamics Electric Boat

Some analysts also believe that the SSN(X) project ships will carry the characteristics of the Seawolf-class attack submarine, which is now out of production.

Entering service in the late 1990s, the Seawolf was considered one of the most prominent submarine classes of the Cold War era. The ship was capable of moving with low noise at a speed of 37 km/h, reaching a maximum speed of 65 km/h at full power, surpassing other Soviet ballistic missile submarines at that time. The SSN(X) was expected to be at least equal to the Seawolf in speed and armament.

"The SSN(X) design will be similar to the Seawolf-class in some aspects, but with the added capability of attacking land targets," said submarine and underwater systems expert HI Sutton.

The US Navy's next-generation submarine is also expected to have a long operational life like the Columbia-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine, estimated at more than 40 years.

"The SSN(X) submarine is expected to overwhelm its competitors once it arrives, helping the US Navy maintain its undersea superiority for decades to come," said Maya Carlin, an analyst at the Washington-based Center for Security Policy.

Pham Giang (According to National Interest, Popular Mechanics )

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