The U.S. Navy has announced a significant change to its future submarine force, reclassifying 19 planned Virginia-class submarines equipped with the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) as guided-missile submarines, or SSGNs. The decision, announced August 3, 2026, is more than a change in designation: it reflects the Navy’s intention to give these boats a specialized long-range strike role as the existing Ohio-class SSGN fleet reaches the end of its service life.

Source: U.S. Navy Reclassifies 19 Virginia – Class Submarines as Guided Missile Submarines