The Virginia class submarine, USS Illinois (SSN 786), officially entered service with the US Navy after a ceremony in the presence of First Lady Michelle Obama, which was held at the Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut.
The USS Illinois bears the name of the 21 ° American state and is the thirteenth Virgina class attack submarine to enter into operational service with the US Navy fleet.
With the growing number of foreign diesel / electric powered submarines, the US attack submarine relies on technological superiority, increased speed, endurance, mobility, stealth, and carrying capacity offered by nuclear energy to maintain dominance of the sea depths. The USS Illinois officially became the most modern attack submarine of the United States Navy.
The USS Illinois is the third block III submarine of the Virginia class. Compared to the previous Virginia, the Block III present improvements in terms of technology and hydrodynamics with the 40% of the redesigned bow. Block III submarines introduce new launch tubes, designed to reduce costs and increase fire capacity. The first ten Virginia class submarines currently in service have 12 vertical launch tubes of the diameter of 21 inches. Block III submarines implement two new large launch tubes, called Virginia Payload Tubes, with a diameter of 87 inches capable of accommodating six Tomahawks each. The submarine is long 115 meters and is able to reach 800 feet in depth (240 meters) at a maximum immersion speed of 25 knots. It is powered by a S9G nuclear reactor designed to operate for 33 years without refueling.
The United States of America's nuclear-powered attack submarines are designed to search and destroy both enemy submarines and surface ships. They are armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles, support special forces and carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The USS Illinois is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven basic skills of the US submarine force.
The Virginia class has several innovations that significantly improve combat capabilities with particular attention to operations supporting special forces. The Virginias have a fly-by-wire control system for better boat management in shallow waters. The torpedo room can be reconfigured to accommodate four fully equipped Seal teams. In Virginia, traditional periscopes have been replaced by high-resolution black and white and infrared cameras on top of the telescopic arms.
The construction of the USS Illinois began in March of the 2011. The keel of the submarine was shown to the public during a ceremony held on June 2 of the 2014. The submarine was delivered for sea trials on October 10 last year.
