USS Vermont (SSN-792)

USS Vermont (SSN-792) is a ''Virginia''-class attack submarine of the United States Navy. It is the third U.S. Navy vessel named for the U.S. state of Vermont. Commissioned in 2020, the submarine is part of the Block IV production contract designed for enhanced operational availability and reduced total ownership cost.

Design and description

As a Block IV ''Virginia''-class boat, *Vermont* incorporates design improvements over earlier Block I and Block II variants. These modifications, developed by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries, focus on increasing the submarine's deployment cycle efficiency. The design allows for four major maintenance periods and 15 deployments over its service life, a significant increase from previous blocks. Its nuclear propulsion plant, the S9G reactor, provides sustained high-speed underwater performance and virtually unlimited range. The boat is equipped with a bow spherical array sonar, wide aperture arrays, and a photonic mast system replacing traditional periscopes. Its armament includes Tomahawk land-attack missiles and Mk 48 advanced capability torpedoes launched via torpedo tubes and Virginia Payload Tubes.

Construction and commissioning

The contract for *Vermont* was awarded to General Dynamics Electric Boat as part of a Block IV multi-year procurement. Its keel was laid down on 16 November 2017 at Electric Boat's facility in Groton, Connecticut. The submarine was christened by its sponsor, Gloria Valdez, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, in a ceremony on 18 October 2019. Following sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean, the boat was delivered to the U.S. Navy on 17 April 2020. The official commissioning ceremony, initially planned for April 2020, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was held as a private, virtual event on 18 April 2020, with the commissioning order given by Admiral Daryl Caudle, then-commander of Submarine Forces.

Service history

Following post-shakedown availability, *Vermont* was assigned to Submarine Squadron 4 and its home port at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut. The submarine conducted its first operational deployment to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility in 2021. During this deployment, it operated in the Arctic, surfacing at the North Pole in October 2021, and conducted joint exercises with allied navies. In 2022, *Vermont* transited to the Mediterranean Sea and participated in NATO exercises, including operations with the ''Harry S. Truman'' Carrier Strike Group. The boat has also conducted operations in support of U.S. Special Operations Command and intelligence collection missions.

Awards and recognition

For its operational performance, *Vermont* has received several unit awards. It was awarded the Battle "E" for Submarine Squadron 4 in 2021, recognizing it as the most efficient submarine within the squadron. The submarine and its crew have also been recognized with the Navy Unit Commendation for a highly successful inaugural deployment. Individual crew members have received personal awards, including the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, for exceptional performance during critical operations and engineering evolutions. Category:Virginia-class submarines Category:Ships built in Connecticut Category:2020 ships