US Navy commissions fast-attack submarine USS Massachusetts
The U.S. Navy officially commissioned its newest nuclear attack submarine during a Saturday ceremony at Boston Harbor, the service announced.
The USS Massachusetts, — which weighs 7,800 tons and is 377 feet long — is the 12th Virginia-class submarine and the fifth to be named after the U.S. state.
“To the crew, the plank owners, the ‘Iron Patriots’ of the USS Massachusetts, we did it,” said Cmdr. Michael Siedsma, the Massachusetts’ commanding officer. ”I am amazed and humbled by what we have accomplished."
The submarine was christened at Newport News Shipbuilding yard in Newport News, Virginia, on May 6, 2023.
Prior to the newest iteration, the most recent Navy vessel named after the New England state was a battleship that contributed to military campaigns in the Pacific between 1943 and 1945 and garnered 11 battle stars during its World War II deployment.
This WWII submarine was the last US boat to notch a torpedo kill — until this week
Virginia-class submarines offer a range of enhanced littoral and offensive capabilities, according to the Navy, including a reconfigurable torpedo room that can accommodate Special Operations Forces engaged in long deployments and offer off-board payload capabilities.
The U.S. Navy has three other classes of submarines in service, including the Ohio-class, Los-Angeles class and Seawolf-class.
An Ohio-class submarine launched over two dozen Tomahawk missiles into Iran during Operation Midnight Hammer on June 21, 2025, as part of a U.S. military offensive against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Los Angeles-class submarines have served for 40 years and is now in the process of being phased out by the Navy. Virginia-class submarines are set to replace them.
The Massachusetts is the 5th Block IV Virginia-class submarine, which can go longer between depot maintenance and offer an increased number of deployments compared to its predecessors, according to the Navy.
Blocks 1-III Virginia-class submarines are slated for four depot maintenance availabilities and 14 deployments.
The U.S. Navy is currently in the midst of production on further reinforcements for the “Silent Service.”
The Columbia-class submarine is expected to be delivered by 2028, according to a 2025 report from Congress.
The U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Massachusetts, its newest Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine, during a ceremony at Boston Harbor. Weighing 7,800 tons and measuring 377 feet, it is the 12th submarine of its class and enhances the Navy's operational capabilities. The commissioning marks a significant milestone for the U.S. Navy as it continues to modernize its fleet with advanced submarines.
- USS Massachusetts is the 12th Virginia-class submarine.
- The submarine weighs 7,800 tons and is 377 feet long.
- It was commissioned at Boston Harbor on a Saturday ceremony.
- The submarine is designed for enhanced littoral and offensive capabilities.
- The U.S. Navy is producing further reinforcements with the Columbia-class submarine expected by 2028.