NEWS

FROM: USS Massachusetts Commissioning Committee

Massachusetts to Welcome Namesake Submarine USS Massachusetts (SSN 798)​

 

Next year, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will welcome a new namesake warship as the U.S. Navy takes delivery of the USS MASSACHUSETTS (SSN 798), a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine finishing up construction in Norfolk, Virginia. The MASSACHUSETTS is planned to arrive at Port of Boston Conley Terminal in March 2026 - pending Navy approval - for a formal commissioning ceremony, officially joining the Navy’s operational fleet.  The submarine’s crew—comprised of 20 officers and over 100 sailors—has been training rigorously to master the technical knowledge and tactical skills required for life under the sea before their voyage north.

Since the keel of the MASSACHUSETTS was laid in 2020, the crew has been working alongside Huntington Ingalls shipyard electricians, pipefitters, and welders to bring the submarine to life. Many MASSACHUSETTS sailors have gained firsthand experience by deploying on other submarines, sharpening their readiness for the significant responsibility of bringing a new warship to life. From the youngest sailors—some having just graduated high school—to the captain, a veteran of three previous submarine tours, each crew member plays a pivotal role in preparing for the challenges of service beneath the waves.

The submarine is organized into four key departments: engineering, weapons, navigation, and supply. The engineering department operates the submarine’s nuclear reactor, a technological marvel that occupies more than half of the vessel’s 377-foot length and produces enough power to run a small city. The submarine’s battery of torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles is maintained by the weapons department. Torpedoes haven’t been used in combat since World War II. However, Tomahawk missiles have played a critical role in recent conflicts with their ability to strike targets from hundreds of miles away. Navigation department sailors chart the submarine’s course and operate the advanced systems that allow it to maneuver underwater without access to GPS. The supply department keeps the crew mission-ready, providing three square meals a day, managing laundry, and delivering critical spare parts when equipment breaks — essential work that sustains both morale and readiness on long deployments.

A key part of a sailor’s journey on board a submarine is earning qualifications. The first milestone is receiving the submarine warfare insignia, commonly known as “dolphins” because the pin features two dolphins flanking a submarine. Earning dolphins is a yearlong process in which sailors must demonstrate mastery of submarine procedures, emergency response skills such as firefighting, and the history and traditions of the submarine force. After earning their dolphins, sailors pursue role-specific qualifications, learning to operate SONAR, manage machinery, and eventually pilot the submarine. While this phase of training is often the most challenging, it is also the most rewarding, providing sailors the chance to learn from senior crew members and forge strong bonds with their peers.

Once commissioned, the USS MASSACHUSETTS will embark on a projected service life of over 30 years. She will conduct missions ranging from intelligence collection to deterrence operations—always capable of remaining undetected.

This new submarine will be the first active-duty ship to bear the name Massachusetts since the former battleship MASSACHUSETTS (BB 59), which earned distinction during World War II in both the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns. Today, that battleship proudly serves as a museum at Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA—a lasting reminder of the Commonwealth’s maritime legacy.

The commissioning of SSN 798 continues this tradition, linking past and present while ensuring that the name Massachusetts sails once again in defense of freedom.

Stay tuned for more articles providing a deeper look into the history, mission, and crew of this remarkable warship.