USS Arizona (SSN-803)

Summary

Arizona (SSN-803), a Block V Virginia-class submarine, will be the fourth United States Navy vessel named for the state of Arizona, and the first vessel to carry the name since the loss of the USS Arizona (BB-39) during the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, which pulled the US into World War II. Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly announced the name on 24 December 2019, in a press release.[2] Arizona was authorized for construction on 2 December 2019.[3] Arizona will be the second Block V boat, and the first boat to feature the Virginia Payload Module.[4]

USS Arizona (SSN-803)
Lead boat of Virginia class USS Virginia (SSN 774) returns to the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard following the successful completion of its "alpha" sea trials in 2004.
The lead boat of the Virginia class, USS Virginia (SSN-774)
History
United States
NameUSS Arizona
NamesakeState of Arizona
Ordered2 December 2019
BuilderGeneral Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut
Laid down7 December 2022[1]
Sponsored byNikki Stratton[1]
IdentificationHull number: SSN-803
StatusKeel Laid
General characteristics
Class and typeVirginia-class submarine
Displacement10,200 tons
Length460 ft (140 m)
Beam34 ft (10.4 m)
Draft32 ft (9.8 m)
PropulsionS9G reactor auxiliary diesel engine
Speed25 knots (46 km/h)
Endurancecan remain submerged for periods in excess of 3 months
Test depthgreater than 800 ft (244 m)
Complement
  • 15 officers
  • 120 enlisted men
Armament40 VLS tubes (12 forward VPT; 28 in VPM), four 21 inch (530 mm) torpedo tubes for Mk-48 torpedoes UGM-109 Tomahawk

The keel laying ceremony took place 7 December 2022 at the Quonset Point Facility of General Dynamics Electric Boat in North Kingston, RI. The sponsor for Arizona is Nikki Stratton, the granddaughter of Donald Stratton, a Seaman First Class aboard the battleship USS Arizona who survived the attack. He died in February 2020 at the age of 97.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Navy Authenticates Keel for Future USS Arizona (SSN 803)" (Press release). United States Navy. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Acting SECNAV Names Two Newest Virginia-Class Subs for Greatest-Gen Heroes of Pearl Harbor" (Press release). United States Navy. 23 December 2019. NNS191223-08. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  3. ^ "ARIZONA (SSN 803)". Naval Vessel Register. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Attack Submarines – SSN". US Navy. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  • This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.