The Virginia-class submarine was ordered on April 28, 2014. The ceremonial keel-laying took place on August 24, 2020, and the launch occurred on August 6, 2024. It is the fifth U.S. Navy vessel to bear the name of the state of Idaho. The last such ship was the battleship USS Idaho (BB-42), a New Mexico–class vessel that served in the U.S. Navy from March 1919 until July 3, 1946. The ship took part in numerous combat operations in the Pacific Ocean.
The new Idaho belongs to the Block IV variant of the Virginia-class submarines. As emphasized by the U.S. Navy, improvements in production efficiency at the shipyards made it possible to deliver two submarines of this type within a twelve-month period. Idaho is scheduled to be commissioned in 2026 and will join the rest of the Virginia-class submarines in the U.S. Navy.
The U.S. Navy has received USS Idaho (SSN 799) from the shipyard. Photo: U.S. Navy
At present, the Americans are seeking new solutions to accelerate the construction pace of Virginia-class attack submarines. This is driven both by the needs of the U.S. Navy and by the expected sale of at least three submarines to Australia. Among the proposed measures, it is worth noting the strengthening of cooperation between Huntington Ingalls Industries and Babcock International Group. The agreement is to include the construction of complete hull blocks for Virginia Block VI submarines at the Rosyth shipyard in the United Kingdom.
