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USS Virginia (SSN 774)

USS VIRGINIA is the lead ship of the VIRGINIA - class of nuclear-powered attack submarines. The submarines in this class are the first US submarines designed for battlespace dominance across a broad spectrum of regional and littoral missions as well as open-ocean, "blue water" missions. The VIRGINIA - class achieves the right balance of core military capabilities and affordability.

General Characteristics:Awarded: September 30, 1998
Keel laid: September 2, 1999
Launched: August 16, 2003
Commissioned: October 23, 2004
Builder: General Dynamics Electric Boat Division, Groton, Conn.
Propulsion system: one nuclear reactor
Propellers: one
Length: 377 feet (115 meters)
Beam: 34 feet (10.4 meters)
Draft: 30.5 feet (9.3 meters)
Displacement: Surfaced: approx. 6,950 tons      Submerged: approx. 7,800 tons
Speed: Surfaced: approx. 25 knots      Submerged: approx. 32 knots
Armament: Tomahawk missiles from 12 VLS tubes, four 533 mm torpedo tubes for Mk-48 torpedoes, Harpoon, advanced mobile mines and unmanned undersea vehicles
Crew: 15 officers, 117 enlisted
Homeport: Groton, Conn.


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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS VIRGINIA. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.


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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

Emblazoned on a blue background that symbolizes the mighty deep, USS VIRGINIA is prominently positioned. The forward view of VIRGINIA denotes her leading the Submarine Force into a new century and onto a new and exciting course for the United States Navy. The gold lettering and border around the seal combined with the blue background represent the Navy’s colors of blue and gold. The silhouette of the Commonwealth of Virginia represents the state for which the ship is named. Each of the nine stars represents an American warship named VIRGINIA. The single point of light at the stern of the ship symbolizes both the nuclear propulsion plant that powers the submarine as well as the ship’s data processing system fiber optic backbone. In keeping with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s motto, the words “Sic Semper Tyrannis” (Latin for “Thus Always To Tyrants”) appear at the bottom, which combined with the symbolism of the Commonwealth’s Seal, represents the triumph of Virtue over Tyranny.

The image of George Washington also looks forward with VIRGINIA. George Washington, a Virginia native, has been characterized as the “indispensable man” vital to the formation of the republic. In all of history, few men who possessed unassailable power have used that power so selflessly and wisely for the welfare of their countrymen and all mankind.



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