La US Navy pone en servicio su decimoctavo submarino de clase Virginia "USS Delaware"

La clase Virginia es una clase de submarinos de ataque rápido propulsados por energía nuclear, y armados con misiles de crucero. Diseñados por las compañías General Dynamics Electric Boat y Huntington Ingalls, constituyen la punta de lanza de la US Navy en guerra submarina, pues incorporan los equipos más avanzados que existen en tecnología de navegación sigilosa, ISR y sistemas de armas.

Los submarinos de la clase Virginia están diseñados para un amplio espectro de misiones en mar abierto y litorales, incluidas la guerra antisubmarina y las operaciones ISR. Están programados para reemplazar a los antiguos submarinos de clase Los Angeles, muchos de los cuales ya han sido retirados del servicio. Los submarinos de clase Virginia se adquirirán hasta 2043, y se espera que permanezcan en servicio hasta el año 2070. En cuanto al Delaware, mide 377 pies (115 metros) de largo, tiene un haz de 34 pies (10 metros) y podrá bucear a profundidades mayores de 800 pies (243 metros) y operar a velocidades superiores a los 25 nudos (46 Km/h) sumergido. Propulsado por energía nuclear, podrá funcionar durante más de 30 años sin repostar. 

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