NSL Highlight: USS Iowa

The Navy formally unleashed its newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine, the Iowa, in a commissioning ceremony 5 April in Groton, Connecticut. The 377-foot vessel, built by General Dynamics Electric Boat, can dive to depths of more than 800 feet below the surface and maneuver at speeds of over 25 knots, or nearly 29 miles per hour.The newly commissioned sub, which carries a crew of 135 sailors, is the service’s first vessel to be named after the state since the famed World War II-era battleship Iowa (BB-61).

U.S. Navy fast attack submarines offer the advantage of sea power, power projection, maritime security, forward presence and deterrence. The USS Iowa also has capabilities to carry out operations spanning anti-submarine, anti-ship, strike, special operations, intelligence, reconnaissance, mine and surveillance missions.

Sailors aboard the Virginia-class fast attack submarine Iowa man the rails during a commissioning ceremony in Groton, CT.
Image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Defense.

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