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VIRGINIA-CLASS SUBMARINE MODEL
BLOCK V
The Block V submarines are larger than the previous
versions, with the length increased from 377 feet to 460
feet, and with greater displacement from 7,800 tons to
10,200 tons. As a result, the Block V versions of
the Virginia-class are the second-largest U.S.
submarines produced behind only the Ohio-class.
The added eighty-three-foot section increases the
number of missile launch tubes from twelve to forty.
Block V boats have the additional VPM (Virginia
Payload Module) which contains four large diameter tubes
which can accommodate seven Tomahawk cruise missiles
each. This increases the total number of torpedo-sized
weapons from 37 to 65.
With a
total of 6 VLS tubes block V subs could carry a mixed
load of 12 hypersonic missiles (3 in each of the aft 4
tubes) and 12 Tomahawks in the forward tubes. The latest
Tomahawk missiles will add an anti-ship capability to the
existing land-attack mode.
The latest
Block V Virginia Class submarine greatly increases the
number of missiles which can be carried. In effect this
will make it a cruise missile submarine (SSGN). Yet it
does not take away from this otherwise flexible
anti-ship, anti-submarine, intelligence and special
forces platform.
Block V
submarines are also equipped with acoustic superiority
upgrades, which the Navy has seen as crucial to
maintaining design superiority over Russian and Chinese
submarines. The Block Vs are given the Large Vertical
Array (LVA) flank sonars – which would be in addition to
the six ultra-modern Light Weight Wide Aperture Arrays (LWWAA)
that are located along the submarine’s side.
Block V
Virginia-class boats can also launch unmanned systems
from their missile tubes. Yet, a Block VI is likely to
further optimize this capability. An increased ability
to launch and recover mine-clearing, enemy sub-hunting
drones could prove paradigm-changing in undersea
communication, reconnaissance, and targeting. Typically,
undersea drones need to gather information and return to
a host ship to download the collected data. However,
undersea warfare innovators are now increasingly
exploring real-time undersea data exchange. Data lag has
been a great challenge for years, given that GPS and
high-frequency RF are not possible underwater.
The numerous improvements and upgrades make Virginia
block V submarines the most heavily armed attack
submarines ever in the U.S. Navy, and could ensure that
they’re able to serve well into the 2070s and beyond.
We build this
primarily wood model of the Virginia class submarine
in three sizes: 27.5" long
(1/2oo scale), 38" long (1/144
scale), and 55" long (1/1oo scale). Email
us for prices.
We require only a
small deposit
to start the process: $900. The
remaining balance won't be due until the model is
completed, in about 5 months.
Learn more abou the Virginia-class submarines here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia-class_submarine
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