US Navy christens attack submarine Idaho

The US Navy and General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) formally named the future nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Idaho in a ceremony at GDEB’s facilities in Groton, Connecticut, on Saturday, March 16.

The submarine will be the 26th in the Virginia-class as well as the fifth US Navy ship to be named after the state of Idaho. Once in service, it will operate in littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations forces support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), irregular warfare, and mine warfare missions.

The future Idaho is 377 feet (114 metres) long and 34 feet (10.3 metres) wide. It will be able to dive to depths greater than 800 feet (243 metres) and operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots submerged.

Armament will include torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The submarine’s inherent stealth, endurance, mobility, and firepower will directly enable it to support missions involving sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.