U.S. Navy SSN(X) submarine program development

The U.S. Navy is advancing the SSN(X) program, a next-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine designed to succeed the Virginia-class fleet. The program aims to integrate the speed and payload capabilities of the Seawolf class with the stealth and sensor technology of the Virginia class.

Initial efforts have focused on market research by the Naval Sea Systems Command to assess domestic shipyard capacity, including drydock availability and specialized labor, to prepare for potential construction around 2034. Concurrently, Newport News Shipbuilding received a $56 million contract to support the AUKUS partnership through engineering and design work for the SSN-AUKUS submarine.

As the program progresses, the Navy is evaluating the industrial base's ability to support the larger platform, which is expected to feature increased capacity for autonomous underwater systems and a larger torpedo room. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the average cost per submarine could range from $7.1 billion to $8.7 billion, with the first purchase potentially deferred to fiscal 2040.