Navy
Del Toro names 4 future Navy submarines after major US cities and river
Stars and Stripes
January 14, 2025
The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Texas departs Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine for sea trials on Dec. 6, 2024. (Branden Bourque/U.S. Navy)
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro named three Virginia-class submarines on Monday to be the future USS Potomac (SSN 814), the future USS Norfolk (SSN 815), the future USS Brooklyn (SSN 816) and one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine to be named the future USS Groton (SSBN-828).
“Today’s submarine force is the most capable force in the world and in the history of the U.S. Navy,” said Secretary Del Toro in a news release. “It is my honor and privilege to announce the names of the future submarines which will protect us from deep below the ocean’s waves.”
The future USS Potomac honors the major river in the east central United States. This will be the seventh Navy ship to bear the name.
The future USS Norfolk honors the city in Virginia which is home to the world’s largest Naval station. This will be the fourth Navy vessel to bear the name.
The future USS Brooklyn honors the New York City borough, home to the Brooklyn Navy Yard which constructed some of the Navy’s most famous vessels. This will be the fourth Navy vessel to bear the name.
Virginia-class attack submarines are designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships. They are capable of projecting power with Tomahawk cruise missiles and special operations forces; carrying out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions; supporting battle group operations; and engaging in mine warfare.
The future ballistic-missile submarine, USS Groton, honors the port town in Connecticut, known as the submarine capital of the world. This will be the fourth Navy vessel to bear the name.
The Columbia class is a new class designed to replace the existing Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. They serve as an undetectable launch platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. They are designed specifically for stealth and the precise delivery of nuclear warheads. The lead sub in the new class, the USS District of Columbia, began in October 2020 and is expected to enter service by 2031.