The US Navy has officially commissioned USS Massachusetts (SSN-798), the 25th Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, further strengthening its undersea warfare capabilities.
SSN-798 is the eighth US Navy vessel to carry the name Massachusetts, a lineage that dates back to the 1790s. Its most notable predecessor, USS Massachusetts (BB-59), a South Dakota-class battleship commissioned in 1942, played a major role in Pacific operations during World War II.
The submarine is the seventh Block IV unit constructed under a joint program between General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding. It falls under a $17.6-billion contract awarded in 2014 for 10 Block IV submarines, designed with upgrades that enhance operational readiness while lowering long-term maintenance costs. Although the Navy often targets a fleet of 48 Virginia-class submarines, demand for these platforms continues to exceed that benchmark.
Built to replace the aging Los Angeles-class fleet, Virginia-class submarines feature enhanced stealth, maneuverability, and combat capability. They are capable of executing missions ranging from anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering to precision strikes using Tomahawk cruise missiles. Additional armaments include Harpoon anti-ship missiles and Mk 48 heavyweight torpedoes.
Later variants incorporate the Virginia Payload Module, which expands missile capacity and enables integration of next-generation weapons and unmanned systems. The submarines also support special operations through lockout chambers for deploying divers and unmanned underwater vehicles.
Each Virginia-class submarine displaces roughly 7,800 tons and measures about 377 feet (115 meters) in length with a beam of 34 feet (10.36 meters). They can operate at depths exceeding 800 feet (244 meters) and achieve speeds of approximately 25 knots (46 km/h). Powered by a lifetime nuclear reactor, these vessels eliminate the need for refueling, allowing extended deployments with reduced maintenance requirements.
