The United States Navy formally commissioned the USS Massachusetts (SSN 798), a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, during a ceremony held Saturday in Boston Harbor. The commissioning marks the official entry of the vessel into naval service, adding to the Navy’s undersea warfare capabilities.
The Massachusetts is the seventh Block IV Virginia-class submarine, constructed through a collaborative effort between General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding. This teaming arrangement, a standard practice for Virginia-class construction, allows for workload sharing and leverages the expertise of both shipyards. Construction of the Massachusetts began in February 2019, and the vessel completed sea trials in December 2023, according to Navy statements.
The Virginia-class program represents a significant investment in the Navy’s submarine fleet. These submarines are designed for a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, strike, and special operations. Block IV submarines, like the Massachusetts, incorporate advanced acoustic enhancements and a redesigned bow section, increasing their operational effectiveness. The Navy has emphasized the importance of maintaining a robust submarine fleet to counter evolving threats in the undersea domain.
During the commissioning ceremony, Commander Eric J. Sager was officially relieved of duty as the pre-commissioning officer and assumed command of the USS Massachusetts. The ship’s crew, numbering approximately 130 officers and enlisted personnel, will now begin their operational duties. The commissioning included traditional naval customs, such as the reading of the commissioning pennant and the first official order given by the commanding officer.
The USS Massachusetts is named after the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, continuing a long tradition of naming naval vessels after U.S. States. Previous ships bearing the name Massachusetts include a Continental Navy sloop from the Revolutionary War and a battleship that served during both World Wars. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey attended the commissioning ceremony, highlighting the state’s ongoing relationship with the Navy.
The commissioning of the Massachusetts comes as the Navy continues to modernize its submarine fleet. The service is currently building the next generation of ballistic missile submarines, the Columbia class, to replace the aging Ohio class. The Virginia-class program is expected to continue with further block improvements, incorporating recent technologies and capabilities as they become available. The Navy has not yet announced the next scheduled deployment for the USS Massachusetts, but officials indicated it will undergo a period of post-commissioning checks and training exercises before entering regular operational service.
