U.S. Navy Outlines SSN(X) Attack Submarine as Unmanned Vehicle Mothership, Targeting Milestone A Authorization by End of 2026
The U.S. Navy outlined plans on November 12 at the Naval Submarine League conference in Arlington, Virginia, for its next-generation SSN(X) nuclear-powered attack submarine to operate as a mothership capable of launching, recovering and controlling multiple unmanned underwater vehicles.
Rear Adm. Andrew Miller, Director of the Undersea Warfare Division, identified five priorities for the SSN(X): higher flank and tactical control speeds, improved operational availability, increased lethality, superior stealth and survivability, and integrated command and control for robotic underwater vehicles.
The Navy completed its analysis of alternatives in November 2025 and secured requirements approval in March 2026. It is targeting Milestone A authorization by the end of 2026, with initial procurement of the first submarine planned for the early 2040s.
The SSN(X) is the successor to the Virginia class. Its wider hull will integrate dedicated autonomous vehicle handling, recharging and command-and-control infrastructure.
Congressional Budget Office calculations assume 10,100 tons of submerged displacement and $8.7 billion per submarine in fiscal 2024 dollars, against the Navy's estimate of $7.1 billion.
Source: U.S. Navy
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 弗吉尼亚级攻击核潜艇出航（资料图），SSN(X) 为该级后继型号。／A Virginia-class attack submarine underway (file photo); the SSN(X) is its planned successor.（美国海军，公共领域）
