Navy commissions USS Iowa, its newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine

The US Navy officially commissioned its newest fast attack submarine, the USS Iowa (SSN-797), during a ceremony on 6 April 2025 in Groton, Connecticut, marking a major milestone in the Navy’s undersea warfare capabilities, as reported by Defense News.

Built by General Dynamics Electric Boat, the 377-foot Virginia-class vessel is designed for stealth, versatility, and advanced strike capabilities. The Iowa is powered by a nuclear reactor that does not require refueling, and it carries Tomahawk cruise missiles, a reconfigurable torpedo room, and advanced features such as a lock-in/lock-out chamber for special operations forces and the ability to deploy unmanned undersea vehicles.

“This is not just a milestone for USS Iowa, but a critical step forward in strengthening our Navy and ensuring America’s global maritime dominance,” said Navy Secretary John Phelan. The submarine is the first to carry the Iowa name since the famed World War II-era battleship Iowa (BB-61).

The boat will operate with a crew of 135 sailors and is expected to play a key role in missions spanning strike warfare, surveillance, antisubmarine and antisurface warfare, and special operations. Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander of US Fleet Forces, said the Iowa’s commissioning reflects the transformation of naval warfare where submarines now provide “unmatched strategic advantage.”

Cmdr. Gregory Coy, the Iowa’s commanding officer, emphasized the contributions of the shipbuilders and crew, calling the submarine a symbol of enduring combat capability. Virginia-class submarines like the Iowa are central to the Navy’s future force design, offering flexible and survivable power projection across contested maritime regions.