The future USS Idaho (SSN 799) has been successfully launched into the Thames River from the shipyard of General Dynamics Electric Boat, one of the U.S. Navy’s latest attack submarines.
The launch, also known as “float off,” marks a construction milestone in the life of a ship when it moves from the shipbuilder’s facilities and into the water for the first time to begin final outfitting, testing, and crew certification.
“Today’s launch is a testament to the strong collaboration the Navy has with its shipbuilding partners,” said Capt Mike Hollenbach, Virginia Class Submarine program manager.
“IDAHO will be a valuable national asset and source of pride for our Sailors, the shipbuilders and all Americans for years to come.”
Virginia-class fast-attack submarine
Submarine sponsor Terry Stackley christened the boat on March 16, 2024, with water she collected from several lakes in Idaho.
The submarine began construction in 2017 and will be the 26th Virginia-class fast attack submarine to deliver to the fleet and the fifth U.S. Navy ship named for the state.
The last ship named Idaho was battleship BB 42, commissioned in 1919.
Virginia-class fast-attack submarines allow the Navy to maintain the nation’s undersea supremacy well into the 21st century.
Virginia submarines have enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities, and special warfare enhancements that enable them to meet the Navy’s multi-mission requirements.
Additionally, through the extensive use of modular construction, open architecture, and commercial off-the-shelf components, the Virginia class is designed to remain state-of-the-art for its entire operational life by rapidly introducing new systems and payloads.
To undergo sea trials
The submarine will undergo rigorous US Navy sea trials.
Sea trials are an intense series of tests to demonstrate the satisfactory operation of all installed shipboard equipment.
Sea Trials ensure that the submarine’s overall performance is in accordance with its plans and specifications.
New construction ships undergo Builder’s Trials and Acceptance Trials prior to the submarine’s delivery and Final Contract Trials several months after delivery before sailing away.
The sail away is the submarine’s final departure from the construction yard for its homeport or commissioning site.
It signifies the end of the new construction period and the beginning of its life as it prepares to perform the mission it was designed to undertake.
Capabilities and missions
The USS Idaho SSN 799 will have Acoustic Stealth, developed at Acoustic Research Detachment, Bayview, Idaho.
The submarine features nuclear power, and the original nuclear submarine propulsion system was built at Idaho National Lab in 1953—all of the nuclear training officers and crew from the USS Nautilus SSN 571 trained in Idaho.
The submarine is built at an estimated cost of $2.6 billion; its life is expected to be 30 years.
The submarine’s armament includes 12 Vertical-Launch Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles and 4 Horizontal Torpedo Tubes capable of launching Mark 48 Advanced Capability Torpedoes and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles.
The special operations of the submarine include an integrated Lock In / Lockout chamber for Navy SEAL Operations Capability.
The missions of this submarine are sea control and freedom of navigation operations, land attack, antisubmarine warfare, carrier/task force battle group escort, mine laying and detection, special operations control/support, antisurface ship warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and launch/recovery of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles.
The submarine is expected to be commissioned in 2025.
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