LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Virginia Class Submarine: Ships
built 633 days ago
The Tigershark has a longer bow than the Virginia class and carries twenty-four cruise missile tubes instead of the twelve on the Virginia class. The Tigershark has four torpedo tubes like the Virginia class although they do carry more torpedoes. The Swordfish class was designed with far more missile launchers and torpedo tubes and has a vast amount of additional firepower. The Tiger is fitted with one laser cannon in a retractable mount on the bow behind the missile launchers. The ship is fitted with decoys for self defense against torpedoes. The sonar systems are not quite as effective as the systems carried on the Swordfish and later classes but are still quite effective.
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The Virginia class is 7,800-tons and 377 feet in length, has a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. It is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship – reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.
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The contract provides funding for design-yard services in support of research and development efforts for the baseline Virginia (SSN-774) design, and technology insertion and upgrades for follow-on ships of the class. The contract ... provides for design-yard support for construction of the planned 30 Virginia-class ships.
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Northrop Grumman Newport News celebrated its newest submarine christening with the First Lady of the United States and the ship’s sponsor, Mrs. Bush broke a bottle of American-made sparkling wine across the hull of the Virginia-class submarine Texas (SSN 775). Also pictured is U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) and Tom Schievelbein, Northrop Grumman Newport News president.
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The Navy, cognizant of the situation, initiated a program to reduce the cost of the Virginia-class submarine from $2.2 billion to $2 billion in 2005 dollars. The goal was to allow the procurement of two ships per year beginning in 2012.
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“Virginia Class submarines are bringing needed capability to the fleet and the Global War on Terror,” stated Rear Adm. William Hilarides, Program Executive Officer Submarines. “As we build these ships, we will continue to look for production efficiencies that will make them more affordable. Along with our shipyard partners, we are getting the learning curve down and working together to find ways to meet our challenge of two submarines a year for $4 billion, in 2005 dollars, by 2012.”
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