Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division has completed initial sea trials for the Virginia-class attack submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798), marking the 25th of its class and the 12th delivered by the yard.
According to HII, Massachusetts underwent a series of system and component tests in coordination with the U.S. Navy, including its first submergence and high-speed maneuvers both surfaced and submerged. The company said the trials mark a key milestone before delivery as testing continues at Newport News Shipbuilding.
“Our entire team at Newport News Shipbuilding understands the importance of delivering capability to our fleet,” said NNS President Kari Wilkinson. “Proving capabilities through this first sea trial for Massachusetts is an important step in demonstrating this, and we are honored to support the mission.”
The submarine was christened in May 2023 and is part of the ongoing Virginia-class production line, a program designed to deliver fast-attack submarines capable of a full range of open-ocean and littoral missions. The class is jointly built by HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia and General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn.
