The United States Navy has a new guardian set to prowl the world’s oceans. The ninth Block V Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine will honor the storied name of San Francisco, a city with a rich naval heritage, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced during the city’s Fleet Week festivities. Designated as SSN-810, this modern leviathan is poised to carry on a legacy of distinguished service and technological innovation.
“USS San Francisco will build upon the legacy of her namesakes, and will no doubt represent the people of this city and our nation with honor wherever she may sail,” Del Toro stated at the event. The announcement further deepened the connection between the metropolis and the Navy, with the selection of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi as the submarine’s sponsor. In this role, Pelosi will embody a lasting bond with the vessel and its crew, symbolizing the unity and support of the American people.
The future USS San Francisco, like its predecessors, will serve as a crucial element of the United States Submarine Force, which depends on its technological edge and the unmatched capabilities provided by nuclear power to maintain dominance beneath the waves. The service records of the city’s namesake vessels speak volumes. From blockading Havana during the Spanish-American War to earning battle honors in World War II, each USS San Francisco has forged a legacy of bravery and service.
The future submarine will continue this proud tradition, equipped with the Virginia Payload Module, designed to field an impressive 28 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, among its total payload of 32. This capability cements the Virginia-class’s role in modern naval warfare, where stealth, endurance, and fire-power are paramount.
The Virginia-class fleet, with the introduction of the SSN-810, will further advance the United States’ strategic military interests in both blue-water and littoral zones. Innovations like a fly-by-wire ship control system for improved handling in shallow waters and advanced sensors, such as photonics masts replacing traditional periscopes, give these submarines unparalleled situational awareness and combat capabilities.
Each iteration of the Virginia-class submarines has brought cost-effective yet potent enhancements. From the Large Aperture Bow (LAB) sonar array to the Virginia Payload Tubes, the design evolution has been as relentless as the undersea predators they resemble. Block IV improvements aimed at reducing total ownership costs promise increased deployment availability, ensuring that these silent sentinels can watch over the globe’s troubled waters with fewer interruptions.
As the future USS San Francisco prepares to join a lineage of remarkable submarines, it stands as a testament to the Navy’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and historical homage. The vessel’s construction and eventual deployment will be watched with eager anticipation by those who marvel at the convergence of military might and technological mastery.
While the exact date of its commissioning remains in the future, the promise of the USS San Francisco (SSN-810) surges ahead, representing the unwavering spirit of its namesake city and the unyielding resolve of the United States Navy. As it waits to slip beneath the waves, this submarine is already shaping up to be a formidable force and a worthy continuation of the storied legacy that the name San Francisco carries in naval annals.
Relevant articles:
– SECNAV Del Toro Names Future Attack Sub After San Francisco, USNI News
– Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, navy.mil
– SECNAV Names Future Submarine USS San Francisco – SeaWaves Magazine, SeaWaves Magazine
– Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro Archives, USNI News