NNS has reached a major milestone in the construction of the fourth-generation Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Arkansas, which will receive 12 Tomahawk cruise missiles

Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), a subsidiary of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), has reached a major milestone in the construction of the nuclear-powered submarine USS Arkansas (SSN 800). HII announced this on its official website on September 27, 2023.

Here's What We Know

The strike nuclear submarine now has a robust hull. In other words, NNS has joined all sections of USS Arkansas (SSN 800) into a single watertight unit. The submarine is now taking its final shape. The milestone was reached with the christening of Massachusetts (SSN 798) and the keel laying of USS Oklahoma (SSN 802).

USS Arkansas (SSN 800) is the 27th fast attack nuclear-powered Virginia class fast attack submarine This is a fourth generation submarine, i.e. Block IV. It is not equipped with VPM (Virginia Payload Module), which means it will receive 12 Tomahawk missiles.

The nuclear-powered submarine is 115 metres long, 10.4 metres wide and has a draft of 9.8 metres. It will have a maximum speed of 46 kilometres per hour. In addition to a vertical launch system for cruise missiles, USS Arkansas (SSN 800) will receive Mk 48 torpedoes.

Source: HII