HII completes pressure hull for future Virginia-class submarine USS Massachusetts
The pressure hull for the future USS Massachusetts. (Photo: HII)
Shipbuilders working on the future Virginia-class submarine USS Massachusetts have joined all the boat's hull sections to form a single watertight unit, marking the completion of the pressure hull.
Completing the pressure hull is the last major construction milestone for the submarine before it is launched.
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding, which is building Massachusetts, is one of two US shipyards capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines.
The other yard building the Virginia-class is General Dynamics Electric Boat.
Massachusetts is the 25th Virginia-class SSN for the USN.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, each Virginia-class boat has a submerged displacement of 7,925t and measures 114.8m in length.
The boats are powered by a GE PWR S9G nuclear reactor and two turbines offering an unlimited range and a maximum speed of around 25kts.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Virginia Class Attack Submarine (SSN 792-SSN 811)
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![NAVDEX 2025: First of UAE Navy’s four Falaj-3 OPVs commissioned]()
NAVDEX 2025: First of UAE Navy’s four Falaj-3 OPVs commissioned
The vessels were first discussed a full ten years before the commissioning ceremony, and three more are due within the next three years.
-
![Portuguese mothership of uncrewed vehicles locks in Cube ecosystem from SH Defence]()
Portuguese mothership of uncrewed vehicles locks in Cube ecosystem from SH Defence
The multi-purpose support ship being built by Damen for the Portuguese Navy has added a skidding system to its design to enhance its operational capabilities on launch.
-
![Royal Thai Navy enhances weaponry on its Tor 997 patrol boats]()
Royal Thai Navy enhances weaponry on its Tor 997 patrol boats
A new deal with EM&E Group has added Sentinel 30 remote stations to the boats’ armament profile.
-
![Israel Shipyards begins steel-cutting on new Reshef-class corvettes]()
Israel Shipyards begins steel-cutting on new Reshef-class corvettes
The new indigenously-built corvettes will replace Israel's Sa'ar 4.5 class which has been in service for four decades.
-
![USSOUTHCOM in ‘desperate need’ for fleet assets says commander]()
USSOUTHCOM in ‘desperate need’ for fleet assets says commander
Adm Holsey also warned that were “zero Navy P-8 aircraft available due to being pulled to other theatres”.
-
![Aselsan test-fires Turkey’s first indigenous naval defence missile]()
Aselsan test-fires Turkey’s first indigenous naval defence missile
The test of the Goksur missile is regarded as a pivotal moment of Turkey’s journey towards developing an indigenous naval defence capability.
