USS Barb (SSN-804) will be a Block 5 Virginia-class submarine with third United States Navy vessel named for the barb fish.[2] She will also be the first Virginia-class submarine to be named after an aquatic animal and the first US Navy submarine to be named after an aquatic animal in more than 30 years. Secretary of the Navy Kenneth Braithwaite officially announced the name on 13 October 2020, in a ceremony unveiling plans to construct a new National Museum of the United States Navy in Washington, D.C.[3] This particular variation from the naming convention is in reference to the World War II era submarine USS Barb (SS-220), which achieved one of the most outstanding combat records in US Navy history, specifically under the command of Commander Eugene B. Fluckey who was awarded the Medal of Honor while Barb received the Presidential Unit Citation.
Design
Compared to Blocks I-IV of Virginia-class submarines, Block V vessels will incorporate previously introduced modifications to the base design in addition to a Virginia Payload Module (VPM). The VPM inserts a segment into the boat's hull which adds four vertical launch tubes. Each tube allows for the carrying of seven Tomahawk strike missiles, increasing her armament to a total of 40 missiles.[4]
References
- ^ "Naval Vessel Register".
- ^ "Secretary of the Navy Names Future DDG, SSN" (Press release). United States Navy. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ Shelbourne, Mallory (13 October 2020). "SECNAV Names Attack Boat After WWII USS Barb, DDG for Former SECNAV Lehman". USNI News. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ "Attack Submarines - SSN". United States Navy. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
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