US Navy’s newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine Montana enters service

The US Navy has commissioned the future USS Montana (SSN 794), the newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine, during a ceremony held at Naval Station Norfolk.

The Virginia-class submarine honors the Treasure State and will be the second commissioned warship bearing the name.

The first USS Montana (ACR-13), an armored cruiser, was also built at Newport News Shipbuilding and commissioned in July 1908.

ACR-13 served in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, landed Marines during unrest in Haiti in 1914, and escorted convoys during World War I.

The US Navy decommissioned the first USS Montana in 1921, and two other vessels named after the state never saw commissioned service.

“This boat is a true treasure of the U.S. Navy, and will play an integral part in protecting and promoting American prosperity and security abroad,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro.

Montana is the third Block IV Virginia-class submarine to enter service, designed to carry out the core missions of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.

These capabilities allow the submarine force to operate anywhere, at any time, and contribute to regional stability and the preservation of future peace.

The vessel is 377 feet (115 meters) long, has a 34-foot (10.3 meter) beam, and will be able to dive to depths greater than 800 feet (244 meters) and operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots submerged.

It has a crew of approximately 136 navy personnel. It was delivered by Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division in March this year.