The American Navy will soon receive the 21st Virginia-type nuclear submarine. Yesterday, February 8, the portal navalnews.com He reported that Huntington Ingalls Industries announced the successful completion of sea trials of the Montana submarine (SSN 794).
The tests included the first dive of the submarine and high-speed maneuvers in surface and underwater positions. If there are no problems during further tests, the US Navy will receive a new submarine at the end of this year.
Montana submarine on sea trials
Image source: navalnews.com
USS Montana is the 21st Virginia-class submarine built for the US Navy, and the third of ten Block IV modification boats. It was planned to transfer the submarine to the US navy by the end of 2021, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the deadlines were shifted.
Virginia-type submarines are designed to combat submarines at great depths (up to 500 m), as well as for actions in the coastal zone. "Virginias" can conduct reconnaissance, deliver special-purpose units to the coast, carry out jamming and underwater mining, as well as perform other types of underwater work (in particular, search and rescue). The submarine is equipped with Tomahawk cruise missile launchers and torpedo tubes. The crew of the submarine has 134 people.
The length of the Virginia-type submarines is 114.9 m, width - 10.3 m, displacement - 7800 tons. The maximum diving depth exceeds 500 m. The S9G nuclear reactor, designed for 33 years of continuous operation, generates enough energy for the jet propulsion to reach a speed of 25 knots (46 km/h). Each subsequent modification of submarines has minor differences in layout, armament and crew composition.
