North Dacota submarine

The US Navy has taken delivery of the PCU North Dakota (SSN 784) submarine, which is the first of eight Block III Virginia class vessels being built by General Dynamics (GD) Electric Boat.

Said to be delivered ahead of schedule and more than $30m below target expenses, the new submarine is planned to be commissioned on 25 October at the navy submarine base in Groton, US.

The delivery of the $2.6bn vessel follows an investigation by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) into questionable third-party modules and had been redesigned as part of the Virginia Cost Reduction work completed to bring down the acquisition cost, while increasing operational flexibility.

The Design For Affordability (DFA) programme involved redesigning the ship’s bow, replacement of 12 individual launch tubes with two large-diameter Virginia Payload Tubes, each with the capability of firing six Tomahawk Cruise Missiles as well as a range of payloads.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
"This is an important accomplishment that reflects the skill and commitment of everyone involved in the Virginia-class submarine programme."

General Dynamics vice-president and Virginia programme manager Kurt Hesch said: "The full range of Block III improvements were successfully tested during North Dakota’s sea trials.

"This is an important accomplishment that reflects the skill and commitment of everyone involved in the Virginia-class submarine programme. Maintaining this level of performance helps the navy attain its ship-building goals and ensures our continuing success as a business."

Mainly aimed at dominating the world’s littoral and deep waters, the Virginia-class submarines are capable of conducting anti-submarine; anti-surface ship; strike; special operation forces; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions.

The US Navy has taken delivery of 11 Virginia-class submarines, with seven additional Block III submarines under construction and a further delivery of ten vessels, which are currently being built as part of the recently awarded Block IV contract, that will be delivered two-per-year through 2018.


Image: The US Navy’s PCU North Dakota (SSN 784) during bravo sea trials in Atlantic Ocean. Photo: courtesy of US Navy.

Defence Technology