The Navy announced that the next Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine, SSN-812, will be named the USS Baltimore and Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks will serve as the vessel’s sponsor. The naming ceremony took place aboard the historic USS Constellation, where Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro made the announcement. Hicks, who grew up in a Navy family, has a deep connection to the submarine community through her father, retired Rear Adm. William J. Holland, who was a submariner. She expressed her commitment to carrying on her family’s legacy of service and dedication to the submarine force as the USS Baltimore sponsor.
The USS Baltimore, a Block V, Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine, is not yet constructed but will join the existing fleet of more than 20 Virginia-class submarines. These submarines have been home-ported in Hawaii, Connecticut, and Virginia, replacing retiring Los Angeles-class submarines. The Virginia-class submarines feature innovations such as a reconfigurable torpedo room to support special operations forces and photonics masts replacing traditional periscopes. Hicks described the Virginia-class submarines as agile, lethal, resilient, and capable, highlighting their role in anti-surface and strike missions, anti-submarine warfare, and special operations capabilities.
Hicks emphasized the deterrence capability of the USS Baltimore and other Virginia-class submarines, stating that they are built to prevent wars through deterrence rather than provoke war. She described the submarines as part of the U.S. and allied military assets that signal readiness and firepower to potential adversaries. The stealth, endurance, lethality, and speed of the USS Baltimore will contribute to the country’s unseen advantage, with the adversary only hearing the sound of silence. The USS Baltimore will be equipped with the Virginia payload module, incorporating four additional large-diameter payload tubes capable of carrying seven Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The USS Baltimore, with Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks as its sponsor, represents a significant addition to the Navy’s submarine fleet. As a Block V, Virginia-class submarine, it will possess advanced capabilities to support various missions and operations. The naming ceremony aboard the USS Constellation honored the naval tradition and history of the submarine community, highlighting the importance of family legacy and commitment to service. The USS Baltimore will play a crucial role in enhancing the Navy’s deterrence capability and contributing to national security in the years to come.
