US to revive Pearl Harbor legend as 10,200-ton nuclear submarine

The US Navy is set to christen a new Virginia-class fast-attack nuclear submarine named USS Utah (hull number SSN-801), reviving the historic name last held by a battleship sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The submarine, built by General Dynamics Electric Boat at a cost of about $3.5 billion, began construction in September 2021 and is expected to enter service next year with a crew of over 130. The vessel will be equipped with advanced sensors, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and surveillance systems, reflecting the Navy’s focus on undersea superiority and multi-mission flexibility. The Virginia-class submarines, designed to replace the older Los Angeles-class boats, emphasize stealth, speed, and endurance, with modular construction allowing rapid technology upgrades. These subs are powered by a single nuclear reactor and feature innovations such as photonics masts replacing traditional periscopes and the Virginia Payload Module, which expands missile and payload capacity. The USS