USS Iowa (SSN-797)

Summary

Iowa (SSN-797), a Virginia-class submarine, will be the fourth U.S. Navy vessel named for the state of Iowa. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus officially announced the name on September 2, 2015, during a news briefing at Iowa State University.[5]

USS Iowa (SSN-797)
The lead boat of the Virginia class, USS Virginia (SSN-774).
History
United States
NameUSS Iowa
NamesakeState of Iowa
Ordered28 April 2014[1]
BuilderGeneral Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut
Laid down20 August 2019[2]
Sponsored byChristie Vilsack
Christened17 June 2023[4]
IdentificationHull number: SSN-797
Motto"Our Liberties We Prize, Our Rights We Will Maintain" [3]
StatusUnder construction
General characteristics
Class and typeVirginia-class submarine
Displacement7,800 tons
Length377 ft (115 m)
Beam34 ft (10.4 m)
Draft32 ft (9.8 m)
PropulsionS9G reactor auxiliary diesel engine
Speed25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Endurancecan remain submerged for up to 3 months
Test depthgreater than 800 ft (244 m)
Complement
  • 15 officers
  • 120 enlisted men
Armament

Construction and career edit

Iowa's keel was laid down on 20 August 2019 at the Quonset Point Facility of General Dynamics Electric Boat in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.[2] She was christened on 17 June 2023 by Christie Vilsack, the boat's sponsor and former First lady of Iowa.[4][6]

References edit

  1. ^ "Naval Vessel Register".
  2. ^ a b "Electric Boat Hosts Keel Laying Ceremony for Submarine Iowa". EB Landing (Press release). Electric Boat. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  3. ^ https://ssn797.com/
  4. ^ a b "Electric Boat Christens Submarine PCU Iowa on June 17". EB Landing (Press release). Electric Boat. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  5. ^ Petroski, William (1 September 2015). "New Navy submarine will be named USS Iowa". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  6. ^ Weig, Nick (17 June 2023). "Navy christens USS Iowa, the first submarine named after the state". KGAN. Retrieved 17 June 2023.