The construction of the submarine began in March 2012, and in December last year, a solemn ceremony of its baptism took place. In the coming months, the U.S. Navy will conduct a series of acceptance tests, and in the spring of next year, the submarine will take up its first combat duty. USS Colorado was the fifth of eight ordered submarines of the Block III modification and the fourth warship of the same name as part of the American fleet.
USS Colorado submarine during factory testing
The Virginia class atomic submarines of the Block III series differ from the previous models by the modified nose section, in which the sonar of the new design is placed, which has a horseshoe antenna, not a spherical one. In addition, the submarines of this series have not twelve (like the submarines of the previous series), but only two missile silos with a diameter of about 2,2 m with turret launchers, each of which has six Tomahawk BGM-109 cruise missiles. In addition, the boat is armed with four torpedo tubes. The crew of the submarine has 134 man.
The length of the USS Colorado submarine is 115 m, width - 10 m, displacement - 8000 t. Maximum immersion depth exceeds 500 m. The S9G atomic reactor produces enough energy for the water jet to reach speeds of 25 nodes (the maximum ship speed is 29 nodes, according to analytical agency IHS Jane's Fighting Ships - up to 35 nodes).
Colorado belongs to the category of low-noise submarines designed to deal with ground targets, enemy ships at great and shallow depths, including special operations in coastal waters. The boat is equipped with special lock chambers for divers and controlled underwater drones. On the hull of the submarine there are special deck mounts for accommodating small underwater vehicles. The submarine can conduct reconnaissance, deliver special forces units to the coast, perform jamming and underwater mining, as well as other types of underwater work (for example, search and rescue).
Virginia-type submarines are fourth-generation multipurpose nuclear submarines. It is assumed that their construction will continue until the 2043 year - during this time it is planned to launch the 48 nuclear powered submarines, which will replace the submarines of the Los Angeles type, which were being built from 1976 to 1996, reports "Warspot"