40 Tomahawks on One Submarine — Block V Virginia-Class
A nuclear reactor, near-silent propulsion, and 40 Tomahawks. The Virginia-class is evolving fast, take a closer look.
Nuclear-powered attack submarines are some of the most formidable machines humans have ever built, both in engineering complexity and battlefield impact. But few showcase that innovation as well as America’s Virginia-class submarines do.
These submarines form the backbone of the US Navy’s undersea fleet. Silent, long-range, and built to hunt, track, and strike without ever being seen. What makes them remarkable is how they merge decades of submarine development into a platform that continues to evolve today.
You might be surprised to know that early submariners used to tap on pipes and bulkheads to communicate before modern acoustic systems existed. Today’s vessels, including the Virginia-class, are so quiet that even internal vibrations must be carefully isolated, because in the world of undersea warfare, noise equals visibility. That’s why the class uses anechoic coatings, isolated machinery, and a pump-jet propulsor instead of a traditional propeller.
Each submarine carries a crew of about 130 and is powered by a nuclear reactor that never needs refueling throughout its entire service life. Endurance is limited only by how much food can be stored. Inside, the mission profile is incredibly flexible: anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, land-attack missions, special operations delivery, and increasingly, unmanned underwater vehicle deployment.
The most dramatic evolution arrives with the Block V Virginias. These submarines add the Virginia Payload Module, an 84-foot hull section with four large tubes capable of launching up to 28 additional Tomahawk cruise missiles. This expansion turns the submarine into a near-arsenal platform, helping offset the retirement of the Ohio-class guided-missile subs.
Recent milestones, including the delivery of USS Massachusetts (SSN-798) and deepening AUKUS collaboration, highlight how central the class is to U.S. and allied naval strategy.
For a quick, visually engaging look at how the Virginia-class works and why it matters, watch the short video. It’s a snapshot of one of the most advanced and adaptable undersea platforms currently in operation.
