The United States commissioned the newest Virginia-class submarine USS Iowa

On Saturday, the US Navy officially launched the Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine USS Iowa (SSN-797), with a ceremony held in Groton, Connecticut.

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This is the first submarine named after the state of Iowa since the legendary World War II battleship BB-61.

The USS Iowa belongs to the modern generation of multi-purpose submarines capable of operating in a wide variety of missions. The submarine is about 115 metres long, has a displacement of almost 8,000 tonnes and can dive to a depth of over 240 metres. The submarine can also reach speeds of over 25 knots (almost 29 miles per hour).

The submarine is equipped with a nuclear reactor that does not require refuelling throughout its service life, as well as weapons that include Tomahawk cruise missiles. In addition, the boat has a modular design: large airlocks for divers and the ability to adapt the torpedo room for different types of missions.

During the ceremony, US Navy Chief John Phelan emphasised the paradigm shift in naval warfare, where submarines are increasingly replacing traditional surface forces: "It is the silent power of the submarine fleet that provides the strategic advantage."

Admiral Daryl Codle, Commander of the US Navy, said that the USS Iowa's 135-sailor crew is ready to provide a global combat presence and put the new ship into the world's oceans this year.

Source: Defence News