US Navy receives 7,800-ton nuclear submarine named after WWII legend

The US Navy has taken delivery of the USS Idaho (SSN 799), a 7,800-ton Virginia-class fast attack nuclear submarine, from General Dynamics Electric Boat on December 15. This marks the second Virginia-class submarine delivered to the Navy in 2023 and the 26th overall in the class. The USS Idaho is the eighth of ten Block IV submarines, a design iteration focused on reducing maintenance time and increasing operational availability. Following delivery, the submarine and its crew will undergo post-delivery tests and sea trials before its expected commissioning in spring. The Virginia-class submarines are integral to the Navy’s undersea warfare capabilities, performing diverse missions such as anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, intelligence gathering, and supporting special operations. Named after the WWII-era battleship USS Idaho (BB-42), the submarine measures 377 feet long with a 34-foot beam and is powered by a single nuclear reactor, enabling nearly unlimited range and