The US's newest, most advanced attack sub is ready to prowl the seas - check out the USS Colorado
The $2.7 billion sub was heralded as a "marvel of technology and innovation" by US Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer. Construction started on the USS Colorado in 2012, and it is the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name.
The latest USS Colorado, designed SSN 788, was built at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. It displaces 7,800 tons and stretches 377 feet long with a beam of 34 feet. The Navy, in hopes of reducing lifecycle costs and boosting underway time, equipped it with a nuclear-reactor plant that doesn't need refueling during the ship's planned lifespan. Submerged, the Colorado can travel at more than 25 knots.
Source: US Navy
"The Colorado is a gem of an assignment for any submariner, whether you are a first-term, junior sailor, or you are the commanding officer," said Cmdr. Reed Koepp, who commands 130 men aboard the Colorado. "I couldn't be more proud to lead and serve with the crew."
Source: US Navy, Associated Press
The sub is part of the Virginia class' Block III contract, for which the Navy redesigned about 20% of the ship to lower acquisition costs. Thousands of suppliers and shipyard workers contributed to its construction, which draws on modular features, open architecture, and commercial off-the-shelf parts — all of which is meant to facilitate future upgrades.
Source: US Navy, Associated Press
The Colorado also features a redesigned bow, replacing 12 Vertical Launch System tubes with two large-diameter, 87-inch Virginia Payload Tubes, each of which is capable of firing six Tomahawk cruise missiles. The new tubes simplify construction and cut down on acquisition costs, as well as offer more payload options, the Navy said.
Source: US Navy, US Naval Institute News
The Colorado is also designed to support Special Forces operations, outfitted with a reconfigurable torpedo room that can hold a large number of personnel and their gear for extended periods.
Source: US Navy
In Virginia-class attack subs, the usual periscope has been replaced by two photonics masts, which are mounted with telescoping arms carrying visible and infrared cameras. Unlike previous ships in the class, however, the joysticks used to manipulate the masts have been replaced by an Xbox controller.
Source: US Navy, Associated Press
The Virginia-class Block III ships also include water-backed Large Aperture Bow array, replacing the usual air-backed sonar sphere, which the Navy says will boost passive-detection ability while cutting down on construction and maintenance costs.
Source: US Naval Institute News
"Today's world requires undersea platforms designed for dominance across a broad spectrum of regional and littoral missions, and I am confident Colorado will proudly serve in defense of our nation’s interests for decades to come," Spencer, the Navy secretary, said.
Source: US Naval Institute News
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