New Design SSN

The New Design SSN program is focused on advancing the capabilities of the Virginia Class Submarine to meet the evolving needs of the U.S. Navy. The primary goal is to develop a submarine that is both affordable and capable, addressing various mission areas such as covert strike warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence collection. This involves evaluating a range of system and technology alternatives to enhance performance while managing technical risks. The program supports the development of Hull, Mechanical & Electrical (HM&E) systems and Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I) systems essential for these missions.

The New Design SSN HM&E project emphasizes the development of advanced technologies for integration into future Virginia Class Blocks VI and VII. This includes efforts in Undersea Dominance Payload Integration and Advanced Acoustic Sensors. The project aims to ensure readiness for Block VI construction by supporting design efforts at various design yards and sub-vendors. It also explores commonality opportunities with the COLUMBIA Class Submarine Program by transitioning new technologies from industry and government research initiatives.

The New Design SSN Combat Systems Development project focuses on outfitting each Virginia Class Submarine with a combat system that meets operational requirements across multiple mission areas. This involves developing the Non-Propulsion Electronics System (NPES), which includes sonar, navigation, and weapons launch subsystems. The project requires non-recurring engineering activities for platform integration, software modifications, and logistics updates to accommodate new technologies and maintain system reliability.

The Submarine Multi-Mission Team Trainer (SMMTT) project aims to enhance submarine force readiness by providing sophisticated shore-based training environments. These trainers simulate submarine operations such as approach, attack, and surveillance in a controlled setting. The project supports operator training through the integration of advanced processing builds and technical insertions into training systems. This ensures personnel are well-prepared for deployment by maintaining proficiency in standalone or combined team modes prior to ship deployment.