This is the sub that will replace the Virginia Class in the 2030s.
U.S. Navy Outlines The Next-Generation Attack Submarine SSN(X) Program
The new SSN(X) design places (renewed) emphasis on Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW) by increasing the SSN(X)’s transit speed and stealth features and characteristics over the current Virginia-class nuclear attack sub. Furthermore, the SSN(X) will also carry more weapons and a more diverse payload than the Virginia subs in order to deal with more advanced enemy submarines, unmanned underwater vessels (UUVs), and coordinate with allied warships and forces.
The CRS SSN(X) report stated that, “The Navy is examining three broad design options for the SSN(X)—a design based on the Virginia-class SSN design, a design based on the Columbia-class SSBN design, and a brand new design.
“An industry official stated that the SSN(X) might have a beam (i.e., hull diameter) greater than that of the Virginia-class design (34 feet), and closer to that of the Navy’s Seawolf-class SSN design and Columbia-class SSBN design (40 and 43 feet, respectively).
“An April 2021 CBO report on the December 9, 2020, 30-year Navy shipbuilding document states that in constant FY2021 dollars, the SSN(X)’s average unit procurement cost is estimated at $5.8 billion by the Navy and $6.2 billion by CBO.”
According to submarine expert H I Sutton, SSN(X) could feature new technologies such as:
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- Laser weapons,
- Conformal bow sonar,
- Quantum technology,
- Larger weapons stowage compartment to accommodate more systems such as weapons and UUVs,
- More torpedo tubes to deploy the systems mentioned above,
- Very large flank arrays,
- Quieter electric drive propulsion,
- X-rudder for better maneuverability,
- VLS for cruise missile and future hypersonic weapons