The Navy announced that 19 Virginia-class submarines equipped with Virginia Payload Modules will be reclassified from attack submarines to guided-missile submarines, dramatically expanding the service’s undersea long-range conventional strike capacity, on Aug. 3.
The reclassification from SSN to SSGN designation does not require new submarine construction but instead recognizes the enhanced weapons capacity provided by Virginia Payload Modules, which significantly increase each vessel’s missile payload compared to standard Virginia-class boats, the Navy said.
The move fills a critical capability gap created by the impending retirement of the aging Ohio-class guided-missile submarines, which have served as the Navy’s primary undersea conventional strike platforms for decades. Without the reclassification, the Navy would have faced a period without dedicated guided-missile submarine capability.
The decision represents one of the most consequential structural changes to U.S. undersea warfare strategy in decades, reshaping how the Navy allocates submarine forces across its global commitments.
The expanded SSGN fleet strengthens the Navy’s ability to hold adversary targets at risk from undersea platforms, a capability considered essential for deterring both China and Russia. Guided-missile submarines can carry large numbers of Tomahawk cruise missiles and other precision weapons.
The reclassification also carries implications for how the Navy manages its submarine force structure, as SSGNs and SSNs serve fundamentally different roles in fleet operations. Attack submarines primarily hunt other submarines and surface ships, while guided-missile submarines focus on land-attack and special operations support.
The 19 reclassified boats will join the fleet as they complete construction and outfitting with Virginia Payload Modules over the coming years.