The United States Navy commissioned USS Montana (SSN-794), a Block IV Virginia-class nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarine on 25 June 2022 at Naval Station Norfolk. The Virginia-class is the United States Navy’s latest submarine model, which incorporates the latest technologies such as stealth, intelligence gathering, and advanced weapons systems.
According to a detailed report published by the United States Naval Institute, the Navy welcomed the 21st Virginia-class submarine into the fleet over the weekend.
USS Montana (SSN-794) is the third of the Block IV Virginia-class submarines to deliver to the Navy from Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding. It is the second naval war vessel to bear the name of Montana, the other being the former USS Montana (ACR-13), which was decommissioned in 1921.
Cmdr. Jon Quimby will lead Montana as its commanding officer. The submarine is 377 feet long, with a 34-foot beam, according to a Department of Defense news release announcing the commissioning. Montana can dive to at least 800 feet. Its crew will be approximately 136.
The submarine will provide next generation stealth, surveillance and special warfare capabilities, Under Secretary of the Navy Erik Raven said during the commissioning ceremony.
“She will strengthen our nation’s ability to keep the peace or restore it through decisive action,” Raven said. “This powerful boat and her crew will protect our sea lanes, strengthen our maritime dominance and deepen our relationships with our allies and partners.”
The submarine’s namesake represents the state and its American Indian tribes, Raven said. The ship’s sponsor is former Secretary of the Department of the Interior Sally Jewel and its maid of honor is Mariah Gladstone, a member of the Blackfeet nation.
“The Montana big sky spirit will carry our vigilantes of the deep through many challenges and missions ahead even when its crew cannot see the sky,” Raven said.
The Block IV submarines are expected to make 15 deployments while having three planned availabilities, according to a Navy news release on the commissioning.
The fast-attack submarines are core to the Navy’s mission and Montana‘s design will help the Navy compete with other powers, executive officer Lt. Cmdr. Chris Jessel said during the commissioning.
“Montana‘s adaptability makes it highly responsive to the changing mission requirements and provides the nation with the capabilities required to be the decisive factor in in any conflict,” Jessel said.
The submarine is the 10th Virginia-class boat HII has delivered to the Navy.
Construction on Montana began in 2015 and took five years. It was christened in 2020. Montana completed sea trials in February and underwent final testing in March.
The submarine represents the best of American ability, said Jennifer Boykin, president of Newport News Shipbuilding.
About the Block IV Virginia-class nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarine
The Virginia-class submarines was designed by General Dynamics Electric Boat (EB) and Huntington Ingalls Industries. The United States Navy plans to built a large fleet of 66 submarines of this class. Virginia-class submarines are designed for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions, including anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering operations. They are scheduled to replace older Los Angeles-class submarines, many of which have already been decommissioned. Virginia-class submarines will be acquired through 2043, and are expected to remain in service until at least 2060, with later submarines expected to remain into the 2070s.
The Block IV consists of 10 submarines. In 2013, execution of this 10-submarine contract was put in doubt b…
[10:19 PM, 6/28/2022] New Defence Guy: I’ll have these article topics for tomorrow, I’ll complete these articles till afternoon.
1) France retired Mirage 2000C fighters.
2) Coast Guard Commissions Indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv Mk III Squadron At Porbandar.
3) Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky unit won its 10th five-year contract worth $2.3 billion for 120 H-60 Mike-model Black Hawk utility helicopters with options for an additional 135 aircraft for both the Army and other customers through Foreign Military Sales.
4) The Indian Air Force created a miracle and successfully integrated French fighter jets + Russian missiles + Israeli helmet sights.
5) Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) signed a contract with the Philippine Department of National Defense on June 27th to construct six units of new build 2,400 ton Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) worth USD 573 million.