Overview
- The Navy announced Monday that it will redesignate 19 Virginia‑class submarines fitted with the Virginia Payload Module from fast‑attack (SSN) to guided‑missile (SSGN) to reflect their larger strike role.
- The Virginia Payload Module is a mid‑body hull extension that adds four large‑diameter payload tubes, with each tube able to carry seven Tomahawk cruise missiles for an extra 28 missiles per fitted boat.
- The redesignation covers Block V and Block VI boats, with the first VPM‑equipped submarine, Arizona (SSGN‑803), expected to deliver in fiscal year 2029 and additional deliveries planned through 2038.
- The change is intended in part to replace conventional strike capacity lost as the four Ohio‑class SSGNs retire and to give commanders more dispersed precision‑strike options from stealthy undersea platforms.
- Procurement is proceeding with multibillion‑dollar Block VI awards to Electric Boat and Newport News, but government auditors and recent reporting say industry still faces production shortfalls and schedule risk that could affect delivery timelines.