Block VI Virginia Attack in 2040: Hypersonics, Sea-Bed Maneuvers & Drone Launches

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

Hypersonic attack, undersea launched and recovered drones, massive fire power, subsurface data networking and clandestine seabed warfare maneuvers .. are all key operational areas intended for the US Navy’s Block VI Virginia-class submarine. 

Such a concept invites a swirl of unanswered questions and suggests new areas of development and innovation in the realm of undersea warfare. How might a Block VI build upon and improve the already high-tech, now-under construction Virginia-class Block V? 

While the Block V is indeed quite advanced with large aperture bow sonar, fly-by-wire navigation, fiber-optic cables, new weapons and a massive increase in firepower, there do appear to be a few areas where a Block VI might advance the curve of possibility.  

Block V Virginia’s are built with a first of its kind Virginia-Payload Module, a new 80-ft section built into the submarine to enable the boat to carry 28 additional Tomahawk missiles, raising the number from 12-to-40.  This is particularly critical given the expected retirement of the Navy’s four SSGN Guided Missile submarines capable of delivering massive amounts of firepower. 

Block V Virginias can also launch some unmanned systems from its missile tubes, yet a Block VI is likely to further optimize this capability given the US Navy’s large scale Unmanned Undersea Vehicle acquisition and developmental efforts. An increased ability to launch and recover mine-clearing, enemy sub-hunting drones could prove paradigm changing in the realm of undersea communication, reconnaissance and targeting.  The new Block VI submarines are being built by General Dynamics Electric Boat, an industry powerhouse which delivered what’s called “long lead” items for Block VI in August of 2024. 

The Block VI, therefore, is likely to be configurable and able to adjust to accommodate different sets of missions such as tailored “seabed” operations, undersea surveillance and surprise attack or ambush missions.  Should Block VI receive special new innovations to conduct “seabed” warfare, it might be able to navigate in much deeper water along the contours of the ocean floor. Such an ability would of course increase stealth and therefore improve any ability to conduct clandestine missions.   Sure enough, an interesting essay from SeaPower magazine quotes Rear. Adm. David Goggins, Program Executive Officer for Submarines, said Block VI will incorporate new seabed warfare capabilities 

 “The key thing here is to really enable that organic subsea, seabed warfare capability for the first time,” Goggins said in SeaPower magazine.