Virginia-class submarine – Wikipedia

US Navy fast attack submarine class

The Virginia class, besides known as the SSN-774 class, is a class of nuclear-powered cruise projectile fast- attack submarines, in service in the United States Navy. Designed by General Dynamics Electric Boat ( EB ) and Huntington Ingalls Industries, the Virginia -class is the United States Navy ‘s latest bomber model, which incorporates the latest in stealth, intelligence gather, and weapons systems engineering. [ 9 ] [ 10 ] Virginia -class submarines are designed for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions, including anti-submarine war and intelligence gather operations. They are scheduled to replace older Los Angeles -class submarines, many of which have already been decommissioned. Virginia -class submarines will be acquired through 2043, and are expected to remain in service until at least 2060, with late submarines expected to remain into the 2070s. [ 11 ] [ 12 ]

history [edit ]

Virginia-class attack submarine Rendering of a-class assail submarine The class was developed under the codename Centurion, late renamed New SSN ( NSSN ). [ 13 ] [ 14 ] The “ Centurion Study ” was initiated in February 1991. [ 15 ] The Virginia -class submarine was the inaugural US Navy warship with its development coordinated using such 3D visual image engineering as CATIA, which comprises computer-aided engineering ( CAE ), design ( CAD ), manufacturing ( CAM ), and product lifecycle management ( PLM ). Design problems for Electric Boat – and alimony problems for the Navy – ensued however. [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] By 2007 approximately 35 million labor hours had been spent to design the Virginia class. [ 19 ] Constructing a individual Virginia -class submarine has required around nine million tug hours, [ 18 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] and over 4,000 suppliers. [ 22 ] Each submarine is projected to make 14–15 deployments during its 33-year service life. [ 23 ] The Virginia class was intended in depart as a less expensive alternative to the Seawolf -class submarine ( $ 1.8 billion v $ 2.8 billion ), whose production run was canceled after good three boats had been completed. To reduce costs, the Virginia -class submarines use many “ commercial off-the-rack “ ( COTS ) components, specially in their computers and data networks. Improvements in shipbuilding engineering have trimmed production costs below the $ 1.8 billion projected fiscal year 2009 dollars. [ 24 ] In hearings before both House of Representatives and Senate committees, the Congressional Research Service ( CRS ) and technical witnesses testified that the annual procurement rate of only one Virginia -class gravy boat – rising to two in 2012 – would result in excessive unit production costs, yet an insufficient complement of attack submarines. [ 25 ] In a 10 March 2005 statement to the House Armed Services Committee, Ronald O’Rourke of the CRS testified that, assuming that the production rate remains as planned, “ production economies of scale for submarines would continue to remain specify or poor. ” [ 26 ] In 2001, Newport News Shipbuilding and the General Dynamics Electric Boat Company built a quarter-scale adaptation of a Virginia -class submarine dubbed Large Scale Vehicle II ( LSV II ) Cutthroat. The vehicle was designed as an low-cost screen platform for new technologies. [ 27 ] [ 28 ] The Virginia class is built through an industrial placement designed to maintain both GD Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding, the only two U.S. shipyards capable of building nuclear-powered submarines. [ 29 ] Under the present placement, the Newport News facility builds the austere, habitability, machinery spaces, electric ray room, sail, and bow, while Electric Boat builds the engine room and operate board. The facilities alternate ferment on the nuclear reactor plant ampere well as the concluding assembly, test, equip, and delivery. O’Rourke wrote in 2004 that, “ Compared to a one-yard strategy, approaches involving two yards may be more expensive but offer likely offsetting benefits. ” [ 30 ] Among the claims of “ offsetting benefits ” that O’Rourke attributes to supporters of a two-facility construction arrangement is that it “ would permit the United States to continue building submarines at one yard even if the other yard is rendered incapable of building submarines permanently or for a prolong time period of meter by a catastrophic consequence of some kind ”, including an enemy attack. In order to get the submarine ‘s price down to $ 2 billion per submarine in FY-05 dollars, the Navy instituted a cost-reduction plan to shave off approximately $ 400 million of each submarine ‘s price tag. The project was dubbed “ 2 for 4 in 12, ” referring to the Navy ‘s hope to buy two boats for $ 4 billion in FY-12. Under coerce from Congress, the Navy opted to start buying two boats per year in FY-11, meaning that officials would not be able to get the $ 2 billion price tag before the service started buying two submarines per year. however, program coach Dave Johnson said at a conference on 19 March 2008 that the program was alone $ 30 million aside from achieving the $ 2 billion monetary value goal, and would reach that aim on schedule. [ 31 ] The Virginia -class Program Office received the David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award in 1996, 1998, 2008, “ for excelling in four specific award criteria : reducing life-cycle costs ; making the skill system more effective, reactive, and seasonably ; integrating defense with the commercial establish and practices ; and promoting continuous improvement of the skill action ”. [ 32 ] In December 2008, the Navy signed a $ 14 billion contract with General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman to supply eight submarines. The sign required the delivery of one submarine in each of fiscal 2009 and 2010, and two submarines on each of fiscal 2011, 2012, and 2013. [ 33 ] This contract was designed to bring the Navy ‘s Virginia -class flit to 18 submarines. In December 2010, the United States Congress passed a defense authority bill that expanded production to two subs per class. [ 34 ] Two submarine-per-year production resumed on 2 September 2011 with beginning of Washington ( SSN-787 ) construction. [ 35 ] On 21 June 2008, the Navy christened USS New Hampshire, the first gear Block II bomber. This gravy boat was delivered eight months ahead of schedule and $ 54 million under budget. Block II boats are built in four sections, compared to the ten sections of the Block I boats. This enables a cost keep open of about $ 300 million per boat, reducing the overall monetary value to $ 2 billion per gravy boat and the construction of two newfangled boats per year. Beginning in 2010, modern submarines of this class were to have included a software system that can monitor and reduce their electromagnetic signatures when needed. [ 36 ] The first full-duration six-month deployment was successfully carried out from 15 October 2009 to 13 April 2010. [ 37 ] Authorization of full-rate production and the declaration of full operational capability was achieved five months late. [ 38 ] In September 2010, it was found that urethane tiles, applied to the hull to damp inner sound and absorb rather than reflect sonar pulses, were falling off while the subs were at sea. [ 39 ] Admiral Kevin McCoy announced that the problems with the Mold-in-Place Special Hull Treatment for the early substitute had been fixed in 2011, then Minnesota was built and found to have the lapp trouble. [ 40 ] In 2013, just as two-per-year bomber construction was supposed to commence, Congress failed to resolve the United States fiscal cliff, forcing the Navy to attempt to “ de-obligate ” construction funds. [ 41 ] In April 2019, the Congressional Research Service ( CRS ) reported that the Navy estimated the cost of a boat was $ 2.8 billion. [ 1 ] In September 2021, the CRS reported that the Navy estimates at the award product rate of two boats per a year that the cost per a boat when equipped with the extra Virginia Payload Module ( VPM ) mid-body section was $ 3.45 billion. [ 2 ]

Innovations [edit ]

USS North Carolina, the last Block I boat, at her commissioning ceremony. Her advanced masts are visible in this image. The Virginia class incorporates several innovations not found in previous US submarine classes. [ 24 ]

technology barriers [edit ]

Because of the low pace of Virginia product, the Navy entered into a program with DARPA to overcome engineering barriers to lower the price of attack submarines then that more could be built, to maintain the size of the evanesce. [ 42 ] These include : [ 43 ]

• Propulsion concepts not constrained by a centerline shaft.
• Externally stowed and launched weapons (especially torpedoes).
• Conformal alternatives to the existing spherical sonar array.
• Technologies that eliminate or substantially simplify existing submarine hull, mechanical, and electrical systems.
• Automation to reduce crew workload for standard tasks

Unified modular Masts [edit ]

Virginia -class subs are the beginning classify where all masts share common design – the Universal Modular Mast ( UMM ) – designed by L3 KEO [ 44 ] ( previously Kollmorgen ). [ 45 ] [ 46 ] Shared components have been maximized and some design choices are besides shared between different masts. The first gear UMM was installed on USS Memphis, a Los Angeles -class submarine. [ 47 ] The UMM is an integrate system for housing, erecting, and supporting submarine mast-mounted antennas and sensors. [ 48 ] The UMMs are the pursuit. [ 49 ]

• Snorkel mast
• Two photonic masts[49]
• Two communication masts[49]
• One or two high-data-rate satellite communication (SATCOM) masts,[50] built by Raytheon,[51] enabling communication at Super High Frequency (for downlink) and Extremely High Frequency (for uplink) range[51][52]
• Radar mast (carrying AN/BPS-16 surface search and navigation radar)[53]
• Electronic warfare mast (AN/BLQ-10 Electronic Support Measures) used to detect, analyze, and identify both radar and communication signals from ships, aircraft, submarines, and land-based transmitters[54][55][56]

Photonics masts [edit ]

The Virginia classify is the first to utilize photonic sensors rather of a traditional periscope. The course is equipped with high- resolution cameras, along with light-intensification and infrared sensors, an infrared laser rangefinder, and an incorporate electronic digest Measures ( ESM ) array. Two excess sets of these sensors are mounted on two AN/BVS-1 photonics masts [ 24 ] located outside the imperativeness hull. Signals from the masts ‘ sensors are transmitted through optical fiber data lines through signal processors to the dominance center. [ 57 ] Visual feeds from the masts are displayed on liquid-crystal display interfaces in the command center. [ 17 ] The design of earlier ocular periscopes required them to penetrate the pressure hull, reducing the structural integrity of the atmospheric pressure hull equally well as increasing the hazard of flood, and besides required the submarine ‘s see board to be located immediately below the sail/fin. [ 58 ] Implementation of photonics masts ( which do not penetrate the pressure hull ) enabled the submarine control board to be relocated to a position inside the pressure hull which is not necessarily immediately below the sail. [ 49 ] The stream photonics masts have a ocular appearance indeed different from the average periscopes that when the submarine is detected, it can be distinctly identified as a Virginia -class vessel. As a solution, current photonic masts will be replaced with Low-Profile Photonics Masts ( LPPM ) which resemble traditional submarine periscopes more close. [ 49 ] In the future, a non-rotational low-cost modular Panoramic Photonics Mast may be fitted, enabling the submarine to obtain a coincident 360° see of the ocean airfoil. [ 59 ] [ 60 ]

Propulsor [edit ]

In contrast to a traditional bladed propeller, the Virginia class uses pump-jet propulsors by BAE Systems, [ 61 ] originally developed for the Royal Navy ‘s Swiftsure -class submarines. [ 62 ] The propulsor significantly reduces the risks of cavitation, and allows placid operation .

Improved sonar systems [edit ]

Sonar arrays aboard Virginia -class submarines have an “ open System Architecture “ ( OSA ) which enables rapid insertion of modern hardware and software as they become available. Hardware upgrade ( knight Technology Insertions ) are normally carried out every four years, while software updates ( dubbed Advanced Processor Builds ) are carried out every two years. Virginia -class submarines feature several types of sonar arrays. [ 63 ]

• BQQ-10 bow-mounted spherical active/passive sonar array[63][64] (Large Aperture Bow (LAB) sonar array from SSN-784 onwards)
• A wide aperture lightweight fiber optic sonar array, consisting of three flat panels mounted low along either side of the hull[65]
• Two high frequency active sonars mounted in the sail and bow. The chin-mounted (below the bow) and sail-mounted high frequency sonars supplement the (spherical/LAB) main sonar array, enabling safer operations in coastal waters, enhancing under-ice navigation, and improving anti-submarine warfare performance.[66][67]
• Low-Cost Conformal Array (LCCA) high frequency sonar, mounted on both sides of the submarine’s sail. Provides coverage above and behind the submarine.[68]

Virginia -class submarines are besides equipped with a low frequency towed sonar array and a high frequency towed sonar array. [ 69 ]

• TB-16 or TB-34 fat line tactical towed sonar array[70][71]
• TB-29 or TB-33 thin line long-range search towed sonar array[70][71]

Rescue equipment [edit ]

Virginia Payload Module [edit ]

USS John Warner at her commissioning ceremony on 1 August 2015, with forward Virginia Payload Tube hatch open The Block III submarines have two multipurpose Virginia Payload Tubes ( VPT ) replacing the twelve individual purpose cruise projectile launching tubes. [ 75 ] The Block V submarines built from 2019 ahead will have an extra Virginia Payload Module ( VPM ) mid-body section, increasing their overall length. The VPM will add four more VPTs of the lapp diameter and greater acme, located on the centerline, carrying up to seven Tomahawk missiles each, that would replace some of the capabilities lost when the SSGN conversion Ohio -class submarines are retired from the fleet. [ 30 ] [ 76 ] Initially eight cargo tubes/silos were planned [ 76 ] but this was late rejected in favor of four tubes installed in a 70-foot ( 21 molarity ) retentive module between the operations compartment and the propulsion spaces. [ 76 ] [ 77 ] [ 78 ]

The VPM could potentially carry ( non-nuclear ) medium-range ballistic missiles. Adding the VPM would increase the cost of each submarine by $ 500 million ( 2012 prices ). [ 79 ] This extra cost would be offset by reducing the total submarine force by four boats. [ 80 ] More recent reports state that as a price reduction meter the VPM would carry merely Tomahawk SLCM and possibly unman submarine vehicles ( UUV ) with the fresh price rag now estimated at $ 360–380 million per gravy boat ( in 2010 prices ). The VPM launch tubes/silos will reportedly be similar in design to the ones planned for the Ohio -class substitution. [ 81 ] [ 82 ] In July 2016 General Dynamics was awarded $ 19 million for VPM exploitation. [ 83 ] In February 2017 General Dynamics was awarded $ 126 million for long lead time construction of Block V submarines equipped with VPM. [ 84 ] The VPM was designed by BWX Technologies [ 85 ] ( the same company besides designs the projectile tube for the Columbia -class submarine ), [ 86 ] however, fabricate is undertaken by BAE Systems. [ 87 ]

High-energy laser weapon [edit ]

According to open-source budget documents, Virginia-class submarines are planned to be equipped with a high-energy laser weapon probable to be incorporated into the photonics mast and have a office end product of 300–500 kilowatts, based on the submarine ‘s 210 megawatts nuclear reactor capacity. [ 88 ] [ 89 ]

early improved equipment [edit ]

Virginia-class diesel generator control panel -class diesel generator command panel

• Optical fiber fly-by-wire Ship Control System replaces electro-hydraulic systems for control surface actuation.
• Command and control system module (CCSM) built by Lockheed Martin.[8][90]
• The auxiliary generator is powered by a Caterpillar model 3512B V-12 marine diesel engine. This replaced the Fairbanks-Morse diesel engine, which would not fit in Virginia ‘s auxiliary machinery room.
• Modernized version of the AN/BSY-1 integrated combat system[14] designated AN/BYG-1 (previously designated CCS Mk2) and built by General Dynamics AIS (previously Raytheon).[91][92] AN/BYG-1 integrates the submarine Tactical Control System (TCS) and Weapon Control System (WCS).[93][94]
• USS California was the first Virginia-class submarine with the advanced electromagnetic signature reduction system built into it, but this system is being retrofitted into the other submarines of the class.[95]
• Integral 9-man lock-out chamber.[96]

Specifications [edit ]

Virginia under construction lead boatunder construction

Blocks [edit ]

Block I [edit ]

Block I involved 4 boats and modular construction techniques were incorporated during construction. [ 111 ] Earlier submarines ( for example, Los Angeles -class SSNs ) were built by assembling the coerce hull and then installing the equipment via cavities in the pressure hull. This necessitate across-the-board structure activities within the minute confines of the pressure hull which was time-consuming and dangerous. modular construction was implemented in an attempt to overcome these problems and make the construction process more effective. modular construction techniques incorporated during construction include constructing big segments of equipment outside the hull. These segments ( dub rafts ) are then inserted into a hull section ( a big section of the coerce hull ). The integrated raft and hull section form a module which, when joined with other modules, forms a Virginia -class submarine. [ 112 ] Block I boats were built in 10 modules with each submarine requiring roughly 7 years ( 84 months ) to build. [ 113 ]

Block II [edit ]

Block II involved 6 boats ; they were built in four sections rather than ten sections, saving about $ 300 million per gravy boat. Block II boats ( excluding SSN-778 ) were besides built under a multi-year procurement agreement as opposed to a block-buy contract in Block I, enabling savings in the range of $ 400 million ( $ 80 million per boat ). [ 30 ] [ 23 ] As a result of improvements in the construction process, New Hampshire was US $ 500 million cheaper, required 3.7 million fewer tug hours to build ( 25 % less ), therefore shortening the construction time period by 15 months ( 20 % less ) compared to Virginia. [ 112 ]

Block III [edit ]

SSN-784 through SSN-791 ( 8 boats ) make up the Third Block or “ Flight ” and began construction in 2009. Block III subs feature a revised bow with a large Aperture Bow ( LAB ) sonar array, adenine good as engineering from Ohio -class SSGNs ( 2 VLS tubes each containing 6 missiles ). [ 114 ] The horseshoe-shaped LAB sonar array replaces the ball-shaped independent sonar array which has been used on all U.S. Navy SSNs since 1960. [ 23 ] [ 115 ] [ 116 ] The LAB sonar array is water-backed—as opposed to earlier sonar arrays which were air-backed—and consists of a passive array and a medium-frequency active align. [ 117 ] Compared to earlier Virginia -class submarines about 40 % of the bow has been redesigned. [ clarification needed ] [ 118 ] South Dakota ( SSN-790 ) will be equipped with a new propulsor, [ 119 ] possibly the Hybrid Multi-Material Rotor ( HMMR ), [ 120 ] [ 121 ] developed by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency ( DARPA ). [ 119 ] The Hybrid Multi-Material Rotor plan is an try to improve the design and fabrication process of submarine propellers with an calculate of reducing the cost and weight of the propeller/rotor adenine well as improving overall acoustic performance. [ 119 ] [ 120 ] [ 121 ]

Block IV [edit ]

Block IV involved 10 boats. In 2013, performance of this 10-submarine contract was put in doubt by budget sequestration in 2013. [ 122 ] The most costly shipbuilding contract in history was awarded on 28 April 2014 as choice contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat took on a $ 17.6 billion sign for ten Block IV Virginia -class attack submarines. The chief improvement over the Block III is the reduction of major sustenance periods from four to three, increasing each boat ‘s full life deployments by one. [ 123 ] The long-lead-time materials contract for SSN-792 was awarded on 17 April 2012, with SSN-793 and SSN-794 following on 28 December 2012. [ 124 ] [ 125 ] The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $ 208.6 million compress modification for the second fiscal year ( FY ) 14 Virginia -class submarine, SSN-793, and two FY 15 submarines, SSN-794 and SSN-795. With this alteration, the overall contract is worth $ 595 million. [ 126 ] Block IV consists of 10 submarines. [ 127 ]

Block V [edit ]

Block V involves 10 boats and may incorporate the Virginia Payload Module ( VPM ), which would give guided-missile capability when the SSGNs are retired from service. [ 128 ] The Block V submarine are expected to triple the capacity of shore targets for each boat. [ 12 ] construction on the first two boats of this jam was expected to begin in 2019 but was pushed back to 2020, with contracts for farseeing leave time corporeal for SSN-802 and SSN-803 being awarded to General Dynamic ‘s Electric Boat. [ 129 ] [ 130 ] HII Newport News Shipbuilding was awarded a long-lead materials contract for two Block V boats in 2017, the beginning Block Vs for the company. [ 131 ] On 2 December 2019, the Navy announced an order for nine modern Virginia -class submarines – eight Block Vs and one Block IV – for a total contract price of $ 22 billion with an option for a tenth gravy boat. [ 132 ] The Block V subs were confirmed to have an increased duration, from 377 foot ( 115 m ) to 460 foot ( 140 meter ), and translation, from 7,800 tons to 10,200 tons. This would make the Block V the second-largest US submarine, behind only the Ohio -class ( at 560 foot ; 170 thousand ). [ 4 ] On 22 March 2021, the U.S. Navy added a tenth ship in Block V series of the Virginia -class attack submarine, issuing a $ 2.4 billion allowance on the December 2019 shrink. This brings the sum cost of the contract with flower contractile organ General Dynamics Electric Boat to $ 24.1 billion. The net increase for the narrow is $ 1.89 billion, according to a General Dynamics free. Huntington Ingalls Industries ‘ Newport News shipyard is the spouse yard in the platform. [ 133 ]

Boats in class [edit ]

future acquisitions [edit ]

The Navy plans to acquire at least 34 Virginia -class submarines, [ 186 ] [ 187 ] however, more holocene data provided by the Naval Submarine League ( in 2011 ) and the Congressional Budget Office ( in 2012 ) seems to imply that more than 30 submarines may finally be built. The naval Submarine League believes that up to 10 Block V boats will be built. [ 21 ] [ 188 ] The lapp reference besides states that 10 extra submarines could be built after Block V submarines, with 5 in the alleged Block VI and 5 in Block VII, largely due to the delays experienced with the “ Improved Virginia “. These 20 submarines ( 10 Block V, 5 Block VI, 5 Block VII ) would carry VPM bringing the total count of Virginia -class submarines to 48 ( including the 28 submarines in Blocks I, II, III and IV ). The CBO in its 2012 report states that 33 Virginia -class submarines will be procured in the 2013–2032 timeframe, [ 6 ] resulting in 49 submarines in sum since 16 were already procured by the end of 2012. [ 189 ] such a long production run seems improbable but another naval program, the Arleigh Burke -class destroyer, is still ongoing even though the first vessel was procured in 1985. [ 190 ] [ 191 ] however, other sources believe that production will end with Block V. [ 192 ] In addition, data provided in CBO reports tends to vary well compared to earlier editions. [ 6 ] Block VI submarines include an organic ability to employ seabed war equipment. [ 193 ]

SSN ( X ) /Improved Virginia [edit ]

initially dubbed Future Attack Submarine [ 194 ] and Improved Virginia class in Congressional Budget Office ( CBO ) reports, [ 6 ] the SSN ( X ) or Improved Virginia -class submarines will be an develop translation of the Virginia course. [ 6 ] In late 2014, the US Navy began early formulation knead on the SSN ( X ). It was planned that the beginning submarine would be procured in 2025. however, their introduction ( i.e., procurement of the first base submarine ) has been pushed rear to 2033/2034. [ 6 ] [ 195 ] The long-range shipbuilding plan is for the new SSN to be authorized in 2034, and become operational by 2044 after the last Block VII Virginia is built. Roughly a ten will be spent identifying, designing, and demonstrating newfangled technologies before an psychoanalysis of alternatives is issued in 2024. An initial little team has been formed to consult with industry and identify the threat environment and technologies the submarine will need to operate against in the 2050-plus timeframe. One area already identified is the want to integrate with off-board systems so future Virginia boats and the SSN ( X ) can employ network, highly long-ranged weapons. A torpedo propulsion system concept from the Pennsylvania State University could allow a torpedo to hit a target 200 nmi ( 230 myocardial infarction ; 370 kilometer ) away and be guided by another asset during the terminal phase. Targeting information might besides come from another platform like a patrol aircraft or an unman antenna vehicle ( UAV ) launched from the submarine. [ 196 ] Researchers have identified a quiet advanced propulsion system and the ability to control multiple unmanned subaqueous vehicles ( UUVs ) at once as key SSN ( X ) components. The future submarines will operate through the goal of the twenty-first hundred, and potentially into the twenty-second hundred. [ 197 ] New propulsion engineering, moving beyond the habit of a rotating mechanical device to push the boat through the water, could come in the form a biomimetic propulsion system that would eliminate noise-generating moving parts like the drive rotating shaft and the spinning blades of the propulsor. [ 198 ] In 2019, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the SSN ( X ) boats could cost up to $ 5.5 billion per hull. The current Virginia -class boats cost about $ 2.8 billion per hull, while the Block V boats with the 80-foot Virginia Payload Module will cost about $ 3.2 billion. “ The Navy indicates that the next-generation attack submarine should be faster, stealthier, and able to carry more torpedoes than the Virginia -class — like to the Seawolf -class submarine. CBO consequently assumed that the SSN ( X ) would be a Seawolf -sized SSN, which displaces about 9,100 tons when submerged, and would have an all-new design in keeping with the Navy ’ mho description of it as a fast, deadly next-generation attack bomber ”, the CBO wrote. [ 199 ]

On 16 September 2021, australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australia had cancelled its contract with french shipbuilder Naval Group for 12 Attack -class diesel-electric locomotive submarines based on the french Barracuda -class nuclear submarine. [ 200 ] The AUKUS triangle security treaty between Australia, the United Kingdom ( UK ) and the United States, was announced the same day. [ 201 ] Under the treaty, the US will share nuclear propulsion technology with Australia the lapp as it has with the UK since 1958 as will the UK. [ 202 ] [ 203 ] The Royal Australian Navy will now acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines armed with conventional weapons to be built in Australia by the australian Submarine Corporation ( ASC ). [ 200 ] The basic design and key technologies will be decided by an 18-month research project begun in September 2021 with aid from the US and UK. [ 200 ] It has been reported that Australia may select the Virginia design or use its nuclear propulsion engineering in a new design. [ 204 ] Australia will now extend the life of its diesel-electric locomotive Collins -class submarines that use the Virginia’ south AN/BYG-1 Tactical and Weapons Control System and that the Attack -class was due to replace. [ 200 ] [ 205 ] Australia may consider leasing nuclear-powered submarines from the US in the interim until the delivery of its future nuclear powered submarines. [ 200 ] [ 206 ] [ 207 ] In 2011, Professor Ross Babbage of the Australian National University argued that Australia should acquire a flit of twelve nuclear-powered submarines with Foreign Policy writing that the US should sell or lease Virginia -class submarines to Australia. [ 208 ] On 22 November 2021, Australia, UK and the U.S. signed a trilateral agreement to plowshare classified information about nuclear propulsion with the Department of Defense Australia. [ 209 ]