The US Navy is preparing an early armament concept for its new submarines that will join the Virginia-class, according to examiner.com.
The Navy wants to increase the number of tomahawk missiles, which will equip the new submarines.
Currently, the Virginia class submarines have a maximum of 12 tomahawk missiles and this should be increased up to 40.
The extra-tomahawk capacity is needed because the Navy plans to retire four guided missile submarines from 2026 to 2028.
The Virginia-class submarines are a class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines in service with the United States Navy.
They are designed for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions.
They were conceived as a less expensive alternative to the Seawolf-class attack submarines, designed during the Cold War era, and they are planned to replace the older Los Angeles-class submarines, twenty of which have already been decommissioned (from a total of 62 built).
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, September 13, 2013