USS Iowa (SSN-797)
The lead boat of the Virginia class, USS Virginia (SSN-774).
History
United States
NameUSS Iowa
NamesakeState of Iowa
Ordered28 April 2014[1]
BuilderGeneral Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut
Laid down20 August 2019[2]
Sponsored byChristie Vilsack
Christened17 June 2023[4]
IdentificationHull number: SSN-797
Motto"Our Liberties We Prize, Our Rights We Will Maintain" [3]
StatusUnder construction
General characteristics
Class and typeVirginia-class submarine
Displacement7,800 tons
Length377 ft (115 m)
Beam34 ft (10.4 m)
Draft32 ft (9.8 m)
PropulsionS9G reactor auxiliary diesel engine
Speed25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Endurancecan remain submerged for up to 3 months
Test depthgreater than 800 ft (244 m)
Complement
  • 15 officers
  • 120 enlisted men
Armament

Iowa (SSN-797), a Virginia-class submarine, will be the fourth U.S. Navy vessel named for the state of Iowa. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus officially announced the name on September 2, 2015, during a news briefing at Iowa State University.[5]

Construction and career

Iowa's keel was laid down on 20 August 2019 at the Quonset Point Facility of General Dynamics Electric Boat in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.[2] She was christened on 17 June 2023 by Christie Vilsack, the boat's sponsor and former First lady of Iowa.[4][6]

References

  1. ^ "Naval Vessel Register".
  2. ^ a b "Electric Boat Hosts Keel Laying Ceremony for Submarine Iowa". EB Landing (Press release). Electric Boat. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  3. ^ https://ssn797.com/
  4. ^ a b "Electric Boat Christens Submarine PCU Iowa on June 17". EB Landing (Press release). Electric Boat. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  5. ^ Petroski, William (1 September 2015). "New Navy submarine will be named USS Iowa". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  6. ^ Weig, Nick (17 June 2023). "Navy christens USS Iowa, the first submarine named after the state". KGAN. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
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