USS Baltimore (SSN-812)

USS Baltimore (SSN-812) will be a nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarine of the United States Navy, the eleventh Block V attack submarines and 39th overall of her class.

USS Baltimore (SSN-812)
Lead boat of Virginia class USS Virginia (SSN 774) returns to the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard after its "alpha" sea trials in 2004.
The lead boat of the Virginia class, USS Virginia (SSN-774)
History
United States
NameBaltimore
NamesakeBaltimore, Maryland
Ordered2024
IdentificationPennant number:SSN-812
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 more than 3 months
Test depthgreater than 800 ft (244 m)
Complement
  • 15 officers
  • 120 enlisted crew
Armament40 VLS tubes (12 forward VPT; 28 in VPM), four 21 inch (530 mm) torpedo tubes for Mk-48 torpedoes BGM-109 Tomahawk
Ceremony for the future submarine USS Baltimore while aboard the USS Constellation in Baltimore, Maryland on September 20, 2024

The submarine will be the eighth U.S. Navy vessel named for Baltimore, Maryland. She was named after the city due to the recent Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, and her hull number 812 is a historical reference to the War of 1812. The Bombardment of Baltimore by the Royal Navy in this conflict inspired Key to compose the "Star Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States.[1]

Baltimore and sister ship SSN-813 were ordered during the 2024 Fiscal Year budget at a combined cost of $9.4 billion.[1]

Design

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Compared to Blocks I-IV of Virginia-class submarines, Block V vessels will incorporate previously introduced modifications to the base design in addition to a Virginia Payload Module (VPM). The VPM inserts a segment into the boat's hull which adds four vertical launch tubes. Each tube allows for the carrying of seven Tomahawk strike missiles, increasing her armament to a total of 40 missiles.[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Mongilio, Heather; LaGrone, Sam (20 September 2024). "SECNAV Del Toro Names Attack Boat for Baltimore as Sub-Funding Impasse Continues". United States Naval Institute.
  2. ^ "Attack Submarines - SSN". United States Navy. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Hicks Named Sponsor of Newly Named Nuclear Submarine". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 22 September 2024.