The United States Navy has taken a major step toward strengthening its undersea strike force by reclassifying 19 upcoming Virginia-class submarines as guided missile submarines (SSGNs). The redesignation covers the Block V and Block VI variants equipped with the Virginia Payload Module, an 84-foot hull extension that integrates four additional missile launch tubes. This enhancement allows each submarine to carry up to 40 missiles, including 28 extra Tomahawk cruise missiles or future hypersonic weapons, dramatically increasing offensive capability. The move comes as the Navy prepares for the retirement of its Ohio-class guided missile submarines, which have served as critical platforms for long-range precision strikes. USS Georgia, one of the oldest vessels in the class, is among the first to retire after over 40 years of operational service. The new Virginia-class SSGNs are intended to preserve the Navy’s strategic firepower while improving flexibility during distributed naval operations. The lead VPM-equipped submarine, USS Arizona, is scheduled for delivery in 2029, followed by the remaining vessels through 2038.
