On December 9, 2025, HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division hosted the keel laying ceremony for the Virginia-class attack submarine Barb (SSN-804) in Newport News, Virginia, marking the official start of the construction of what will become the U.S. Navy’s 31st Virginia-class fast attack submarine and the 15th built at this yard. The future Barb is the first Block V Virginia-class submarine to carry a World War II lineage into modern service while remaining part of the joint production effort shared between Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat. Read full defense news at this link...
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| To date, the U.S. Navy has authorized a total of 66 Virginia-class submarines, with 24 boats delivered to the fleet as of early 2025, including the USS North Carolina (SSN-777), and an additional 16 under contract for future construction. (Picture source: U.S. Navy) |