The U.S. Navy plans to prioritize integration of special operations forces, unmanned systems and new undersea weapons into its new Block VI Virginia-class attack submarines, USNI News reported Monday. Capt. Chris Hanson, manager of Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarine program, said his office hasn’t finalized the design of the new submarine but the focus areas will be part of the ship.Â
“We’re currently in the phase of looking at various concepts and capabilities and determining their feasibility for the rest of this year,†Hanson said at the Navy League’s annual Sea-Air-Space conference.
He said his office is analyzing potential payloads and other equipment to support the Block VI Virginia-class submarines’ power, heating, cooling and communications and other areas. Hanson added that the final decisions may come in 2020. The Navy aims to begin initial production of the submarines in fiscal year 2024.
