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Virginia (SSN-774), lead Submarine of New Class, Successfully completes testing of Torpedo

NAVSEA News Wire

Release Date: 3/19/2004

By Naval Sea Systems Command, Office of Public Affairs

Groton, Conn. - The Virginia (SSN-774) has successfully completed a test of its torpedo tubes at General Dynamics Electric Boat's shipyard, firing a dozen dummy torpedoes into the Thames River last week. The two-day evolution brings the submarine, the first in a new class of fast-attack boats, closer to its sea trials, which are slated for this spring.

To conduct the torpedo tube testing, Electric Boat and U.S. Navy personnel fired three of the dummy torpedoes, or "shapes" from each of the submarine's four tubes. Two of the tubes were tested Wednesday, 10 Mar 04 and the other two were tested on Thursday, 11 Mar 04.

Virginia Prospective Commanding Officer Capt. Dave Kern, who stood dockside for the firing of the first shape, said the test was a big step forward for the submarine. "The whole reason for the ship's existence is for us to be able to use the weapon systems if called upon," he said. "So it's a great milestone to see the torpedo tubes in action."

In addition to torpedoes, the Virginia Class will be armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles and has been designed to host the Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) and Dry-Deck Shelter (DDS) to support various missions. Furthermore, the Virginia Class will dominate both the open ocean and littorals while undertaking a wide range of missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, special operations, Information, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), and mine warfare.

"We're very pleased with the results of the torpedo tube testing and looking forward to sea trials this spring and delivery this summer" says Captain John Heffron, Virginia Class Program Manager.

The Virginia Class is built jointly by General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut, and Northrop Grumman Newport News in Newport News, Virginia. Virginia's commissioning is scheduled for later this year at the Norfolk Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia.