why the u.s navy's next attack submarine could really be a game changer
hello and welcome to the u.s military news channel where we discuss all things military be sure to
like subscribe and ring the bell notification if you want to know the latest updates thank you the
united states navy's virginia-class fast attack submarines are among the youngest in the navy
they are nuclear powered and armed to the teeth with four torpedo tubes
as well as tomahawk cruise missiles and harpoon anti-ship missiles the virginias incorporate a
number of new technologies and are among the stealthiest submarines in the world
the navy designed the virginians from the outset with a number of features
not previously seen in other submarines such as a fiber optic fly-by-wire control system
which replaced the mechanical control systems seen in previous submarines
as well as a secretive electromagnetic signature reduction system
that helps keep the submarine undetected
ssnx explained
although the virginia class is arguably one of
the most advanced nuclear power submarine designs in existence
the navy is already planning for their eventual replacement by the ssnx or improved virginia class
a recently published congressional research service document
explains that the ssnx will be designed to counter the emerging threat posed by near-peer adversary
competition for undersea supremacy with more of an emphasis on advanced near-peer threats
although the navy designed the virginia class for dominating a variety of environments and missions
the ssnx will be designed for greater transit speed under increased stealth conditions in all
ocean environments and carry a larger inventory of weapons and diverse payloads ssnx the mission
with an eye on capabilities not yet seen in submarines the improved virginia class will retain
the original virginia multi-mission capabilities in contested deep water and literal environments
though the class will also emphasize anti-submarine
warfare in a way the original virginians did not
namely via close coordination with friendly forces as well as other underwater vehicles
one of the challenges that submarines must increasingly deal with is the threat posed
by unmanned underwater vehicles a threat that the congressional research services report
emphasizes they suggest that the improved virginia class will be able to control its own unmanned
underwater vehicles perhaps by acting as a uuv mothership like the original
virginia class the ssnx will remain primarily an anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare platform
and new extremely long-range munitions could give the ssnx a huge boost long-range torpedoes with
a range of 200 plus miles is one area that the navy is reportedly exploring
at some extremely long ranges targeting data would likely need to be supplied by an
aerial platform potentially a submarine launched uav
or perhaps by a maritime patrol plane like the navy's p-8 poseidon
in this scenario a submarine-launched long-range torpedo could complete its
terminal phase controlled or directed not by the submarine it launched from
but from the air a first in naval warfare
while concrete and definitive details on the improved virginia class are as of yet scant
the ssnx submarine will undoubtedly be one of if not the deadliest submarine in existence
once built with the potential to revolutionize underwater warfare
foreign
so
you