A few days ago, the US Navy received a new multi-purpose nuclear submarine. In the near future, the submarine USS Illinois (SSN-786) must undergo a number of necessary procedures, after which it will officially be introduced into the fleet and begin full-fledged operation. It is expected that the commissioning of the new submarine will further increase the potential of the US Navy's submarine forces, which already include a large number of Illinois sister-ship submarines. In addition, according to various estimates, the start of service of the next multi-purpose nuclear submarine may have some consequences for the international situation.

The new submarine USS Illinois (SSN-786) was built according to the Virginia Block III project and is a representative of the newest and most advanced family of American multi-purpose submarines at the moment. She became the third Block III submarine and the 13th ship of the Virginia class. The task of "Illinois" in the future will be to patrol the indicated waters with the search for various underwater and surface targets and, upon receipt of the appropriate order, their destruction. It is also possible to attack enemy coastal targets. One of the main goals of such a submarine’s combat work will be to search for strategic missile-carrying submarines of a potential enemy.

The decision to build the submarine USS Illinois (SSN-786) and several other submarines was made in the middle of the last decade. On December 22, 2008, the decision to build led to the emergence of an agreement between the military department and shipbuilding industry enterprises. The contract for the construction of boats of the new series was awarded to Huntington Ingalls Industries and General Dynamics Electric Boat Shipyard. They were ordered four and three submarines, respectively. Construction of the Illinois submarine was to take place at the General Dynamics Electric Boat facility in Groton (Connecticut).

The multibillion-dollar contract for Block III submarines implied the construction of several submarines of the same cost. According to recent reports, the United States military spent $2.7 billion on the construction of USS Illinois (SSN-786).

The keel-laying ceremony for the nuclear submarine USS Illinois (SSN-786) took place on June 2, 2014. The trustee of the new ship was US First Lady Michelle Obama, a native of Illinois, in whose honor the submarine is named. Thanks to well-established production, the construction of the submarine took only 14 months. Already on August 8, 2015, the boat was taken out of the workshop and launched into the water. After this, the crew and industry specialists began testing and other necessary work prior to handing over the submarine to the customer.

Testing and fine-tuning of the newest multi-purpose nuclear submarine took about a year, after which representatives of the military department signed an acceptance certificate. The next Virginia Block III submarine was delivered to the customer on August 27. In the near future, the navy plans to carry out some necessary work, after which the submarine will officially be included in the fleet. The commissioning ceremony of the boat is scheduled for October 29. On this day, the US Navy's submarine forces will officially be replenished with a new combat unit.

The submarine USS Illinois (SSN-786) during construction. Photo: Ussillinois.org

The USS Illinois (SSN-786) was built according to the newest existing version of the Virginia design and is a fourth generation submarine. The project used is based on the basic developments of previous projects, but has a number of characteristic differences associated with the need to improve certain parameters. First of all, Block III submarines differ from their predecessors in their sonar system and missile launchers. Otherwise, the project is an improved version of previous developments. Design work on the Virginia Block III project began in 2009, after the signing of a contract for the construction of a series of new submarines.

In accordance with the project, the Illinois submarine has a length of 114.9 m, a width of 10.3 m and a normal draft of 9.8 m. The total displacement reaches 7900 tons. The boat has a characteristic appearance with a streamlined cylindrical hull of large elongation, in the bow which has horizontal rudders. A relatively small deckhouse fence is provided on the upper surface of the hull. The tapered aft section houses a set of rudders and a propeller housed inside an annular channel.

In the central compartment of the boat's durable hull there is a pressurized water nuclear reactor of the S9G type, which provides electricity generation for all systems. The project provides for an electric motor with a capacity of 30 thousand hp as a power plant for movement. A single-shaft design with a single propeller is used.

As part of the Block III project, the bow compartment of the light hull, which accommodates weapons and a sonar station, has undergone significant changes. The main objectives in redesigning the compartment were to increase the performance of the boat, as well as reduce the cost of its production and operation. By abandoning some previously used solutions, as well as by using standardized units borrowed from existing projects, it was possible to solve both problems.

Submarine in dry dock, July 29, 2016. Photo Ussillinois.org

It was decided to change the design of the main antenna of the hydroacoustic complex. Instead of the previously used system, which consisted of a large number of individual elements mounted on a common base in the form of a compartment with air, it was decided to use a spherical device completely surrounded by water. This version of the complex was designated LAB (Large Aperture Bow). Eliminating the need to create a sealed base filled with air has significantly reduced the cost of producing the bow of the boat. Redesigning the design made it possible to further reduce the cost of the hull by $11 million.

The LAB system has two main components. The first is a passive high-performance station, and the second is an active system operating in the mid-frequency range. The LAB complex uses hydroacoustic sensors previously used on Seawolf-class submarines. The maximum possible resource of the complex is ensured, equal to the resource of the entire submarine.

The first versions of the Virginia design proposed the use of 12 vertical launchers placed in front of a pressure hull in the bow of the boat. The Block III modernization project proposed a different option for transporting and launching missile weapons. In order to simplify the design and reduce the cost of production, new multi-purpose nuclear submarines should be equipped with launchers borrowed from the Ohio-class strategic submarine modernization project. With the help of this solution, it was possible to improve the economic parameters of the project without any other problems.

The launcher, borrowed from Ohio, is a cylindrical unit that fits into the silo of a Trident II ballistic missile. The installation accommodates six silos of relatively small diameter, each of which can transport one cruise missile. Also in the installation body there is various special equipment necessary for the use of missile weapons.

Scheme of innovations of the Block III project. Figure Defenseindustrydaily.com

In the case of the Virginia Block III project, the old separate launchers are being removed, in place of which some kind of Ohio strategic submarine silos are being installed. The body houses two hinged launcher covers, under which there are two vertical launchers. Thus, the modernized submarines, like boats of previous versions, are capable of transporting and launching up to 12 cruise missiles.

Despite the replacement of launchers, the updated Virginias retain the same range of weapons. The main strike weapons of these ships remain the BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles, capable of hitting targets, depending on the modification, at distances of up to 2,500 km.

Otherwise, the Illinois is almost no different from the boats of its design in the previous series. With the exception of the weapons complex and sonar systems, all existing changes are insignificant and are aimed at correcting previously identified deficiencies, simplifying the operation of equipment, etc. This made it possible to improve the required parameters, as well as avoid unacceptable increases in construction costs and significantly save on the operation of standardized equipment.

In particular, the additional armament of the submarines in the form of torpedoes remained without significant changes. USS Illinois (SSN-786) has four 533mm torpedo tubes. The torpedo compartment can carry up to 27 torpedoes of several types. Such weapons are primarily intended for protection against enemy submarines.

USS North Dakota (SSN-784) is the lead submarine of the Block III series. US Navy Photo

The previously used approach to collecting information about the environment has been retained. In particular, Block III still does not use a traditional periscope, instead the boat receives a mast with optical-electronic equipment connected to screens at the central station. It is also envisaged to use other surveillance means based on modern technologies and components.

A curious feature of the Virginia-class submarines was the ability to transport combat swimmers. The current project retains a special airlock compartment, allowing the submarine to transport and disembark up to nine soldiers with weapons and special equipment in a given area. The submarine can also carry relatively large devices needed by divers.

The boat's own crew consists of 134 people, including 14 officers. If necessary, depending on the type of combat mission assigned, the crew composition may change in one way or another. During autonomous navigation, the maximum possible comfort of work and life is ensured.

Virginia-class submarines, regardless of the series and specific equipment, are capable of diving to a maximum depth of 488 m and reaching a speed of at least 26 knots. According to some reports, the maximum underwater speed of such submarines exceeds 30-32 knots. The cruising range is limited only by the supply of food and ammunition. Reactors of the latest models, used on boats of new series, make it possible not to change nuclear fuel during the entire service life.

The second submarine of the series, USS John Warner (SSN-785), during the delivery ceremony to the customer, August 1, 2015. The open cover of one of the launchers is visible. US Navy Photo

To date, the US Navy has received and commissioned 12 Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines. In accordance with the first order from 1998, four submarines of the first series were built. Their service began in 2004-2008. In 2003, the Pentagon ordered the construction of ships of the second series (Block II), as a result of which it received six more submarines in 2008-13. Construction of Block III submarines has been underway since 2012. The year before and last year, the nuclear submarines USS North Dakota (SSN-784) and USS John Warner (SSN-785) entered service, respectively. In October, the US submarine force will be replenished with another submarine, USS Illinois (SSN-786).

After receiving the 13th boat of the series, the US Navy intends to purchase another dozen and a half similar submarines. Over the next few years, Huntington Ingalls Industries and General Dynamics Electric Boat Shipyard will complete and deliver the next five Virginia Block III boats. Ten more submarines will be built later. They will have to relate to the new version of the project designated Block IV. The contract for their construction was signed in April 2014. The delivery dates for equipment under these contracts should be clarified later.

Virginia-class multi-purpose nuclear submarines of all series are considered as a replacement for remaining in service submarines of a similar purpose, created and built over the past several decades. In addition to the Virginias, the tasks of searching for underwater and surface targets are solved by boats of the Los Angeles and Seawolf types. At the moment, 39 submarines of the first type and 3 of the second remain in service. It is noteworthy that it was originally planned to build a series of three dozen Seawolves, but due to the high cost, the project was significantly reduced. Over time, all existing submarines will have to give way to newer Virginia-class ships of the three existing and one planned series.

Like other multi-purpose nuclear submarines of various types operated by several countries around the world, the newest USS Illinois (SSN-786) will have to solve a fairly wide range of combat missions related to the search and destruction of various targets. The possibility of covert tracking of surface, underwater and coastal targets with their subsequent destruction using the most effective weapon in the existing situation is provided. The main weapons of the Illinois and its sisterships are BGM-109 cruise missiles. If necessary, several types of torpedoes can be used.

USS Illinois (SSN-786) on trials, July 29, 2016. Photo: Ussillinois.org

In the context of tracking underwater targets, Virginia-class submarines are primarily “hunters” of strategic missile submarines. In this role, American submarines pose a certain danger to Russian submarines on duty in the interests of strategic nuclear forces. The quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the US submarine force, namely its component based on multi-purpose nuclear submarines, may be a serious cause for concern. Having more than fifty such submarines in its fleet, the United States can deploy a relatively powerful group that monitors various areas of the World Ocean. As a result, there is a certain probability of exposure of areas and patrol routes.

To combat such a threat, appropriate measures are required. The protection of naval formations and submarine missile carriers can be carried out by a variety of means. This task can be assigned to both anti-submarine ships and aviation. In addition, existing and promising multi-purpose nuclear submarines, especially new projects, should become a very effective means of tracking down submarines that threaten our ships.

Compared to the total number of multi-purpose nuclear submarines in the United States submarine force, the transfer of the new submarine USS Illinois (SSN-786) does not look too threatening. However, even one boat equipped with the latest equipment and weapons can significantly increase the potential of the entire submarine force as a whole. In addition, it must be remembered that the Pentagon plans to build another dozen and a half Virginia-class boats, most of which will belong to the new version of the project with the symbol Block IV.

The latest achievements and plans of American military shipbuilding are of some interest from a technical point of view, and for the United States they are also a real reason for pride. For other countries, in turn, they may be a cause for concern and material for analysis and forecasting. The current and planned development of the United States submarine force may make it difficult for other countries to modernize their navies, or even pose a serious threat to them. Therefore, those who are happy for foreign military personnel should receive the required assessment, and also be taken into account by other countries, including ours, when planning their actions in the foreseeable future.

Based on materials from sites:
http://flot.com/
http://sudostroenie.info/
http://janes.com/
http://defenseindustrydaily.com/
http://ussillinois.org/
http://public.navy.mil/
http://history.navy.mil/
http://military.com/
http://military-today.com/

The US Navy expects to begin construction of a new type of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine in 2019, designed to replace the current Ohio-class missile carriers. At the same time, the completion of design work on a new multi-purpose nuclear submarine is also planned for the mid-2020s, since by this time 4 submarines with cruise missiles will have exhausted their operational life and will require replacement (converted Ohio-class nuclear submarines - editor's note), and with them almost 2/3 of the cruise missile launchers of the US submarine fleet.

Today, the US Navy has 7 Virginia-class multi-purpose nuclear submarines in service. The 8th boat, California, will enter the fleet on October 29. The Navy intends to acquire 30 Virginia-class nuclear submarines, and there is a possibility that this number will be increased to 32.

“This design solution is feasible, and the technical side of the issue is now being considered,” the US Navy Chief of Staff of the US Navy said in a statement from the Undersea Warfare Directorate (the so-called “N87 Department”).

The US Navy is modernizing the Virginia submarines in collaboration with its submarine construction contractors, Electric Boat shipyards of General Dynamics and Newport News of Huntington Ingalls Industries.

The idea is simple - to embed a compartment with universal missile launchers into the hull of a Virginia-class multi-purpose submarine. The number of launchers has not yet been determined, however, most studies indicate that their optimal number is 4. The new compartment, 28.7 meters long, will increase the length of the submarine by a quarter, which according to the Virginia project is 115 meters.

It is worth noting that in the bow of the modernized (Block III) Virginia-class submarines, starting with the North Dakota submarine currently under construction, two pressurized launch containers of the Virginia Payload Tube (VPT) type will be installed. Each of them is designed to accommodate 6 Tomahawk cruise missiles (current Virginia-class submarines are armed with 12 missiles in individual launchers) or other payload, including vehicles and reconnaissance equipment.

At the next stages of modernization of Virginia-type submarines (subseries Block V, VI and VII), it is proposed to embed into the hull a Virginia Payload Module compartment consisting of four universal launch containers with a diameter of 2.2 meters located in the center plane. Each of them will be able to accommodate 7 Tomahawk missiles (28 in total) or other cargo intended for launch to the surface. The containers will be equipped with hatches and transition chambers for their use by special forces.

In total, the modernized Virginia-class submarines will be armed with 40 Tomahawk cruise missiles each. One Ohio-class SSGN carries 154 Tomahawks on board, however, in terms of the total number of missiles in a salvo, a submarine fleet of 20 Virginia-class submarines of the Block V, VI and VII subseries will be comparable to 4 Ohio missile carriers.

The US Navy today includes 4 Ohio-class SSGNs armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles. The decommissioning of the lead boat of the project is scheduled for 2029. The fleet will have to decide how to replace Ohio in the near future.

“This may seem like a lot of money,” the N87 department said in a statement, “if you do not take into account that we will get 10 Virginia-class submarines for the price of one SSGN.”

The top ranks of the fleet will decide whether to transform the Block V subseries of Virginia-class submarines into multi-purpose missile carriers, or whether to postpone the development of a new multi-purpose submarine until 2034.

“What the 30-year shipbuilding plan will look like is up to the Chief of Naval Staff to decide,” said retired Rear Admiral John Paget, president of the U.S. Navy Submariners League.

The design, construction and operation of the new series of boats will require the fleet to change its financial and operational strategies. If the Navy leadership decides in favor of multi-purpose missile carriers, it will have to be approved by the Pentagon, and then by Congress.

Considering that the first boat to replace the Ohio-class SSGN will be ordered in 2019, a design decision should be made in the coming years.

In general, the US submarine forces distinguish 4 priorities in optimizing ship composition:

1. Development of a nuclear submarine to replace the Ohio-class SSGN.
2. The inclusion of two additional submarines in the 30-year schedule for the construction of Virginia-class multi-mission nuclear submarines in 2018 and 2023 to meet the operational needs of the fleet.
3. Postponement of replacement of Virginia-type submarines for the period of replacement of Ohio-type submarines.
4. Equipping at least 20 Virginia-class submarines with Virginia Payload Module compartments (this will allow the Navy to delay the start of work on the design of nuclear submarines to replace Virginia-class boats until at least 2034 or until the completion of the replacement of Ohio-class SSGNs).

– uninhabited underwater vehicles in order to increase the efficiency of reconnaissance and surveillance;
– improved submarine simulators and decoys;
– promising air defense systems;
– “long-term” weapons (for example, loitering strike missiles, strike unmanned vehicles);
– improved means of combating surface ships, in particular, electronic warfare equipment and non-lethal weapons;
– a new anti-ship torpedo;
– weapons with a short reaction time to hit a suddenly appearing target;
– means to increase the effectiveness of special forces operations.

Submarines with existing weapons and new capabilities “will provide operational uncertainty that is difficult to counter,” notes N87. “It is worth imagining what it would be like to defend against all possible threats from a multi-role nuclear submarine at once because it is impossible to determine the weapon and the purpose this boat."

On June 1 of this year, the last nuclear-powered strike of the Virginia class, USS Mississippi (SSN-782), entered service. The 7,800-ton boat, worth more than $2 billion, is 114.9 meters long and 10.36 meters wide. Its maximum speed is more than 27 knots (50 kilometers per hour), and it can dive to depths of more than 240 meters (800 feet).

The attack submarine USS Mississippi is designed to perform both traditional and unconventional missions. Traditional means anti-ship and anti-submarine operations, which the submarine can carry out using Tomahawk Land Attack cruise missiles (12 vertical launchers) and advanced MK-48 torpedoes (four 533 mm torpedo tubes), as well as the deployment of mobile mines.

However, the new nuclear submarine is also capable of conducting special operations that were inaccessible to most of its predecessors. Of particular interest is its unsurpassed and special operational capabilities for conducting covert reconnaissance operations in enemy maritime areas. The Mississippi submarine has reduced acoustic signature, which increases its anti-mine and anti-torpedo capabilities.

The Mississippi submarine is also equipped with the most modern electronic warfare system, an advanced data processing system and advanced control systems. Overall, the new submarine was equipped with a vast array of advanced surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities designed to support conventional, asymmetrical and irregular warfare operations around the world.

The Mississippi submarine can operate in shallow waters to support special forces- transportation and deployment of special forces vehicles, as well as the immediate possibility of disembarking scuba divers.

The Mississippi's ability to operate in so-called "troubled waters" or in hostile coastal areas, as well as its special design that allows the use of unmanned underwater vehicles, allows it to be an effective stealth platform for special operations, especially in low-intensity or highly sensitive conflicts. secret missions.

The Virginia-class submarine's reactors are designed to not require refueling for 33 years and are capable of generating 40,000 horsepower to propel the submarine and supply electricity to its 132-man crew.

The Mississippi is the ninth of ten Virginia-class Block II nuclear submarines. The only differences between the four Block II boats are some of the less expensive methods used to build them. It is planned to build eight Block III boats with some design changes and the introduction of new technologies.

The US Navy currently has three classes of nuclear submarines:

1. Most of them are 6900-ton Los Angeles class nuclear submarine. A total of 62 of these submarines were built, and 41 are still in service. Armed with four 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes, they carry twenty-six torpedoes/missiles (Mk 48 torpedoes or Tomahawk BGM-109 cruise missiles). The last 31 Los Angeles-class submarines have Mk 45 vertical launchers carrying twelve more Tomahawk missiles. If they were built today, these latest Los Angeles-class submarines would cost about $1.5 billion each.

2. Twenty nine 9000 ton Seawolf class nuclear submarine were supposed to replace the Los Angeles-class nuclear submarines, but the Seawolf boats turned out to be too expensive. As a result only three such nuclear submarines were built. The Seawolf was designed for the Cold War, carrying 50 torpedoes, Harpoon cruise missiles or eight 26-inch (660 mm) torpedo tubes. Seawolf was faster (maximum speed over 32 knots, 60 kilometers per hour) and much quieter than the Los Angeles class boats.

3. The Virginia-class submarines were designed to replace the unfinished Seawolf submarines. The Virginia-class boats were the size of the Los Angeles-class nuclear submarines and incorporated a large amount of Seawolf technology. At the same time, Virginia class boats cost about half as much as the Seawolf nuclear submarine. This was made possible in large part due to the Virginia's use of many new technologies developed for Seawolf.