Navy’s New Seabed Warfare Submarine Revealed via Job Listing, Set to Replace 21-Year-Old Jimmy Carter

Key points

• The USS Baltimore, a Block V Virginia-class submarine, is being modified for special operations and seabed warfare duties.
• The new boat will feature a special mission insert, saturation diving capabilities, and controls for tethered underwater vehicles.
• It is designed to replace the USS Jimmy Carter, which has served as the Navy's only special warfare support submarine for 21 years.
• The conversion addresses the need to protect over 900,000 miles of undersea fiber optic cables and oil pipelines from damage.
• It is unclear if the Baltimore will retain its Virginia Payload Module for cruise missiles or if that space will be repurposed for mission equipment.

Background

The USS Jimmy Carter, the final Seawolf-class submarine, has been in service since 2005. It was modified with a 100-foot Multi-Mission Platform to carry divers and remotely operated vehicles, making it 453 feet long. This unique configuration has been the Navy's sole platform for special warfare support for over two decades. The new Baltimore program builds on earlier research and development budgets from 2025 and 2026, which included plans for seabed warfare electronics integration.

Why it matters

The development of a dedicated seabed warfare submarine highlights the growing strategic importance of undersea infrastructure. With a significant portion of global internet and energy transmission relying on undersea cables and pipelines, the Navy is prioritizing the ability to monitor, repair, and defend these assets against both accidental and deliberate damage.

What to watch

The USS Baltimore is expected to be completed around 2036, according to SlashGear. Until then, the USS Jimmy Carter will continue its role as the Navy's only special warfare support submarine. The Navy has not yet disclosed the final length or cost of the converted Baltimore.