As the latest Block IV Virginia-class submarine, USS Iowa’s introduction is a big milestone for the Navy, .

USS Iowa (SSN 797) was commissioned over the weekend, becoming the twenty-fourth submarine in her class to reach operational capacity with the U.S. Navy. The Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack boat was welcomed by the service at Naval Submarine Base New London. It is the fifth naval vessel to be named after the state, according to an April 4,2025, press release from the service. Iowa was laid down back in 2019 and is expected to embark on its maiden deployment in November. Like its sister ships, Iowa features some of the most cutting-edge technologies and capabilities across the board. From computing and firepower to undersea technologies sensors, the Virginia-class is widely considered to be unmatched out at sea.

Introducing the Virginia-class

The Navy conceptualized the Seawolf-class submarines during the height of the Cold War. In an effort to thwart the Soviet’s own advancing sea fleets, the United States required a boat design that could pack a greater punch and submerge deeper than the preceding Los Angeles submarines. While the Seawolf vessels were designed to be larger, faster, and quieter, the timing of their arrival coupled with their hefty price tag curtailed the Seawolf fleet to just three submarines. The Virginia boats were meant to represent a less expensive alternative to the Seawolf-class. As part of the Navy’s aims to minimize costs, the Virginia submarines were developed using a litany of “commercial off-the-shelf” components. Notably, the Virginia-class was the first in the Navy to be developed in part using 3D visualization technology, including computer-aid manufacturing, design, and engineering.

Since General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding are the only American shipyards equipped to build nuclear-powered submarines, the two manufacturers developed the Virginia-class jointly through an industrial arrangement. Each boat in this class is capable of displacing approximately 8,000 tons with a hull length of 377 feet. Equipped with nuclear power, these vessels can drive to more than 800 feet and reach speeds in excess of 25 knots. Armament-wise, the Virginia-class is extremely lethal. Each submarine features twelve vertical launch missile tubes and four 533mm torpedo tubes, which in total can fire sixteen Tomahawk submarine-launched cruise missiles.

Over the years, several Virginia-class iterations have been introduced to service. USS Iowa is a Block IV submarine, designed to elevate operational efficiency and feature more advanced capabilities than previous variants. Perhaps the most important attribute provided by the Block IV boats is their minimized maintenance needs. Smaller-scale design modifications incorporated by the Navy extend the intervals the Block IV submarines can remain in service without requiring major maintenance periods. Additionally, the Block IV boats are equipped with the latest and greatest sonar technology and electronic warfare systems.

The introduction of the USS Iowa to service is a big milestone for the Navy, as the submarine represents the midpoint of Block IV vessels intended to enter service. While the Block IV submarines are widely recognized as unmatched, the latest Block V iteration features even greater additions. Overall, the Navy’s Virginia-class represents a vital component of the service’s sea-based strategy.

About the Author: Maya Carlin

Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.

Image: Wikipedia.

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