Atomic USS Iowa joins US Navy fleet

April 5 at US Navy Base in Groton (Naval Submarine Base New London), there was a ceremony of incarnation in service US Navy, the latest nuclear-powered submarine USS Iowa (SSN 797), sixth of the Block IV series.

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**Genera and Meaning: USS Iowa – from battleships to hidden shock power**

USS Iowa (SSN 797) is the first submarine and at the same time the fourth unit in the history of the United States Navy, which is called the State of Iowa. In the past this name was named, among others, the legendary battleship USS Iowa (BB 61)– last liner in active service of the US Navy, as well as steam frigate USS Ammonoosucwhose name was later changed to USS Iowa. It was launched on July 21, 1864, but was never equipped or put into service. It was eventually sold in 1883.

New USS Iowa but it's more than just a symbolic tribute – it's part of the latest generation of U.S. submarine forces, built by General Dynamics Electric Boat in cooperation with Huntington Ingalls Industries – Newport News Shipbuilding.

In the entrance ceremony USS Iowa (SSN 797) State Governor Iowa Kim Reynolds, who stressed in her speech the importance of the Navy tradition as the first United States defense line and the pride of the fact that the new submarine would be named her family state.

Atomic USS Iowa joins US Navy fleet / Shipyard Portal

Operational capabilities and dimensions of Virginia units

Virginia-type ships represent a class of high-speed atomic submarines (SSNs), designed to operate in the full operational spectrum – from combating submarines and submarines, through precise land strikes to special forces support missions, reconnaissance and operation in a mine environment.

USS Iowa (SSN 797), as the sixth unit of the upgraded Block IV series, is characterized by a displacement of 7,900 tonnes and a length of 115 metres. Ship reaches speed 25 knots and its test dive is 244 metres – although the actual operating depth remains secret and certainly exceeds the declared value.

The continuity of the submerge reaches three months thanks to the core drive based on the S9G reactor. Weapons USS Iowa includes twelve vertical take-off launchers (VLS), capable of firing BGM-109 Tomahawk maneuvering missiles, as well as four 533 mm torpedo launchers designed for Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes.

The ship is equipped with modern AN/BYG-1 combat system, an expanded sonar package and full capability to conduct special operations involving combat divers and unmanned submarines (UUVs). The crew of the unit consists of 15 officers and 120 sailors, which, combined with advanced automation, allows to maintain high operational readiness throughout the entire mission cycle.

Part of a larger strategy

Incarnation USS Iowa is part of a long-term program to modernise U.S. submarine forces – US Navy plans to acquire more than 60 ships of type Virginia and units of type Columbia (SSBN) which will in future replace the Ohio type on board with ballistic missiles.

In the context of Russia's increasing activity in the Atlantic and China in Indo-Pacific waters, nuclear submarines are one of the pillars of the strategy of deterrence and projection of the United States forces.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz