Virginia blocked

摘要

Progress on the US Navy's first Block Ⅲ variant of the Virginia class attack submarine has been delayed due to problems with a parts supplier and the need for additional design and certification work on the redesigned bow. The issue with North Dakota (SSN 784) is a setback to the project, which has gained a reputation hitherto for delivering in advance of the contracted delivery date. Although the vessel is the 11th Virginia class boat, she is the first with a redesigned bow section featuring two Virginia Payload Tubes (VPTs) and a reconfigured sonar sphere containing a Large Aperture Bow array. The innovative VPTs are able to store and launch a variety of weapons or vehicles. Electric Boat still expects to deliver the sub ahead of the August contract delivery date.