A new Virginia-class Idaho nuclear-powered submarine was launched in the United States at a shipyard in Connecticut.

The SSN-799 was launched at the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Groton.

The SSN-799, whose construction began in 2017, will be the 26th Virginia-class nuclear submarine.

The submarine’s keel was laid on August 24, 2020, and the Idaho christening ceremony took place on March 16, 2024. The submarine is a Block IV version.

The Virginia-class multi-purpose nuclear-powered submarines are designed to operate in deep and shallow water.

These submarines are being built under a cooperation agreement signed by General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII Newport News Shipbuilding.

In total, the U.S. Navy plans to build more than 40 Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to consistently improve its combat capabilities.

In addition to the 18 submarines built in Block I, Block II and Block III, it is planned to build 10 submarines in Block IV, 10 in Block V, five in Block VI and five in Block VII.

The first through fourth generation boats are equipped with 12 Tomahawk cruise missiles, 4 Mk-48 torpedoes or Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and 25 anti-submarine torpedoes. The fifth generation will receive 16 additional Tomahawk cruise missiles.

To date, the U.S. Navy has received 23 of these submarines built at General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding.

The Virginia-class submarines will be procured until 2043 and are expected to remain in service until at least the 2070s.

In April 2024, the United States installed an innovative magnetohydrodynamic drive on the submarine, which will enable it to move completely silently.