US Navy christens newest Virginia-class submarine USS Iowa

The US Navy christened its newest Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, the future USS Iowa (SSN 797), during a ceremony held at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton on 17 June.

The future USS Iowa (SSN 797) is the fourth U.S. Navy vessel and first submarine named in recognition of the state. Previous ships named after the state were battleships, as well as, a converted merchant ship that was never activated.

Virginia-class submarines are built to operate in the world’s littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations forces support; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions.

Boats in this class can hit shore-based targets with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and are capable of long-term, stealth surveillance of sea forces, littoral waters or ground targets, according to the navy.

Their design also provides for Special Forces delivery and support, mine delivery and minefield mapping, and anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare.

About a month ago, Virginia-class submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798) was christened at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division.