The US Navy has commissioned USS Idaho, a Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, during a ceremony on 25 April 2026. The post US Navy commissions nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Idaho appeared first on Naval Technology.
USS Idaho is the 26th Virginia-class submarine jointly produced by GDEB and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding.
The US Navy has commissioned USS Idaho (SSN 799), the Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, during a ceremony held at Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut on 25 April 2026.
Acting Secretary of the Navy, Hung Cao, placed the submarine into active service after Teresa Stackley, sponsor and daughter of a Navy sailor, issued the command to the crew to “man our ship and bring her to life.”
The event took place following the hoisting of the colours and the commissioning pennant.
Officials present at the ceremony included US Senator James Risch, Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal, Idaho Governor Brad Little, and the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program director admiral William Houston and others.
USS Idaho is the 26th Virginia-class submarine and the fifth vessel to carry the state’s name.
The earliest US Navy ship named for Idaho was a wooden-hulled steam sloop launched in 1866. The previous USS Idaho, a New Mexico-class battleship (BB-42), was commissioned in 1919 and operated in the Pacific during World War II, earning seven battle stars.
General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding built SSN 799 through a longstanding partnership.
USS Idaho represents the 14th Virginia-class submarine delivered by GDEB and the eighth in the Block IV configuration.
The US Navy christened the vessel on 16 March 2024 at the GDEB shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. Delivery of the submarine occurred in December 2025.
Virginia-class submarines are designed to carry out multiple US Navy missions, supported by features including advanced stealth, surveillance capabilities, and special warfare support.
Each submarine in the class displaces 7,800 tons, measures 377ft long, and has a beam of 34ft. Their reactor plants are manufactured to operate for the vessel’s planned service life without requiring refuelling.
The commissioning of USS Idaho follows that of USS Massachusetts (SSN 798), another Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, which was inducted into service last month.
Recently, the US Department of the Navy requested $65.8bn in shipbuilding funding, which would enable the Navy to buy two additional Virginia-class submarines.
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