As part of the U.S. Navy’s sustained submarine fleet modernization program, General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) has delivered the future nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Idaho (SSN-799), a Virginia-class boat. With this addition, the U.S. Navy receives the 26th submarine of the program, marking the second delivery of the year and further consolidating progress under Block IV, a phase that introduces improvements in maintenance, operability, and availability throughout each submarine’s service life.
The delivery of Idaho represents the official transfer of the submarine from the shipbuilder to the Navy, a milestone that initiates a new phase of testing and evaluations prior to its entry into active service, scheduled for next spring. In this regard, Captain Mike Hollenbach, Virginia-class submarine program manager, stated that “Idaho represents the hard work and tenacity of our shipbuilders, industry partners, and Navy personnel in delivering the best undersea warfare platform to the fleet.” With each new unit, he added, the Navy strengthens the United States’ maritime superiority in the undersea domain.
USS Idaho is the fourteenth Virginia-class submarine delivered by General Dynamics Electric Boat and the eighth of the ten configured under Block IV, the result of the long-standing industrial partnership with Huntington Ingalls Industries – Newport News Shipbuilding (HII). This collaboration, in place since the early 2000s, has enabled a continuous flow of nuclear attack submarine construction, ensuring the steady renewal of the fleet. Earlier in 2025, the Navy had already received USS Massachusetts (SSN-798), also a Block IV submarine, reflecting the sustained delivery tempo of the program.
USS Idaho (SSN-799) is also the fifth ship in U.S. Navy history to bear the name. The first was a supply vessel commissioned in 1866, while the most recent predecessor, the battleship USS Idaho (BB-42), saw active service during World War II and earned seven battle stars. This new submarine honors that legacy by incorporating cutting-edge technologies in propulsion, sensors, and combat systems, ensuring its operational relevance in the face of 21st-century challenges.
As a hallmark of the class, Virginia-class submarines stand out for their low acoustic signature, sophisticated surveillance and intelligence capabilities, and versatility in special operations, enabling them to conduct land-attack, anti-submarine, anti-surface, and strategic reconnaissance missions. The platform represents the core of the U.S. Navy’s submarine attack force and is set to progressively replace the aging Los Angeles-class submarines.
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