HII Delivers fast-Attack Nuclear Submarine USS Massachusetts (SSN 798) to U.S. Navy

In a major milestone for the U.S. submarine force, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has officially delivered the nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine USS Massachusetts (SSN 798) to the United States Navy. The delivery marks a key achievement in the ongoing build-out of the Virginia-class submarine programme.

Construction and industrial partnership

The USS Massachusetts is the 12th Virginia-class submarine delivered by Newport News and the 25th built overall under the teaming agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat. More than 10,000 shipbuilders from NNS and Electric Boat participated in the construction of SSN 798, supported by thousands of suppliers across the U.S., including more than 20 suppliers from Massachusetts.

NNS President Kari Wilkinson said: “Delivering Massachusetts after its rigorous sea trials is an important milestone commitment for our team this year. We are absolutely steadfast in our resolve to increase the pace of submarine construction and see this as a solid step toward our overall objective.”

Key specifications and capabilities

The USS Massachusetts belongs to the Virginia-class of nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines, designed for a broad spectrum of missions including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, special operations support and land-strike. Key specifications:

• Length: ~377 feet (115 m)

• Beam: ~34 feet

• Displacement: ~7,900 tons

• Propulsion: S9G nuclear reactor with unlimited range

• Speed: 25+ knots submerged

• Crew: ~135 personnel

• Armament: Mk-48 torpedoes, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and for newer blocks, the Virginia Payload Module

• Special features: stealth shaping, photonics masts, modular electronics and weapon systems

The contract and production context

The broader programme for the Virginia-class has been structured through multiyear contracts. According to open-source accounts, a contract valued at around US $17.6 billion was awarded in 2014 to Electric Boat for ten submarines.  The class is planned to eventually reach up to 66 boats across several Blocks (I–V and potentially beyond) as part of the Navy’s undersea strategy. 

In the teaming arrangement, Newport News and Electric Boat alternate major assemblies: one builds certain modules, the other completes others, to maintain two ship-yards capable of nuclear submarine production in the United States. By delivering SSN 798, NNS demonstrates continued throughput in this industrial base.

Significance and outlook

With the delivery of USS Massachusetts, the U.S. Navy strengthens its undersea warfare capabilities at a time of increasing global naval competition. Virginia-class submarines are considered among the world’s most advanced and stealthy attack submarines, capable of executing multi-mission roles across the globe.

The scale of the project — involving thousands of skilled workers and suppliers nationwide — also underscores the importance of the submarine industrial base to U.S. manufacturing and defense readiness.

Following delivery, the USS Massachusetts will undergo final outfitting and preparations before commissioning, becoming the fifth U.S. Navy vessel to carry the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The delivery of USS Massachusetts (SSN 798) represents a critical milestone for both the U.S. Navy and America’s submarine-building enterprise. As the 25th Virginia-class submarine and the 12th from Newport News, the boat further strengthens the Navy’s ability to maintain undersea superiority for decades to come.