The Iowa is the sixth submarine of the ten VCS Block IV-configured attack submarines. Credit: NAVSEA/United States Navy.

The latest Virginia-class attack submarine, SSN 797, has been officially handed over to the US Navy, representing the 12th battle force ship delivered this year.  

Constructed through a partnership between General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding, this submarine is the 24th of its class and the 13th delivered by Electric Boat.  

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The transition marks the builder’s formal transfer of the vessel to the Navy, which will now undergo extensive testing and trials prior to its commissioning for active service. 

Christened by American literacy advocate and politician Christie Vilsack in Groton, Connecticut, in 2023, the latest submarine is scheduled for commissioning in April 2025. 

The Iowa is the sixth submarine of the ten VCS Block IV-configured attack submarines and the first submarine to bear the name of the Hawkeye State. 

The name, USS Iowa, has previously been used for vessels such as the USS Iowa (BB 61), a battleship commissioned in 1943 that saw service during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. 

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These submarines are designed to fulfil a variety of missions, and feature improved stealth capabilities, advanced surveillance systems, and special warfare enhancements.  

With a focus on supporting Special Operations Forces (SOF), the Virginia-class vessel features a torpedo room capable of accommodating SOF personnel and equipment for extended missions, as well as potential future payloads.  

Additionally, the class includes a lockout trunk to aid divers. 

“The Virginia-class submarine represents a Navy and industry commitment to deliver warfighting excellence to the fleet,” said Captain Mike Hollenbach, Virginia Class Submarine program manager.

“Iowa is the second Virginia-class submarine delivered this year. With each delivery, the Navy continues to strengthen our Nation’s undersea advantage.” 

This delivery follows the deployment of another Virginia-class submarine, the USS Minnesota (SSN 783), to the Navy base in Guam last month.