Boise Dev - 12/17/25 - Future USS Idaho delivered to U.S. Navy

Thu Dec 18th, 2025

The future USS Idaho has officially reached a major milestone. This week, the U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the nuclear-powered submarine, named after the Gem State, marking its final step before it’s officially commissioned into active service.

The future USS Idaho is a Virginia-class fast attack submarine built in Connecticut and will keep its “future” designation until commissioning. Over the next couple of months, crews will complete additional testing and training to prepare the vessel for deployment.

Once commissioned, the USS Idaho is expected to serve more than 30 years, carrying the state’s name across the globe as part of the U.S. Navy’s fleet.

“Idaho represents the hard work and tenacity of shipbuilders, industry partners, and Navy personnel to deliver the best undersea warfighting platform to the fleet,” said Capt. Mike Hollenbach, Virginia-class submarine program manager, in a press release. “With each delivery, the Navy reinforces our Nation’s superiority in the maritime domain.”

Commissioning is expected in the spring of 2026.

When that happens, it will become the fifth U.S. Navy ship named for the state of Idaho. The first was a wooden-hulled storeship commissioned in 1866. The last was battleship BB 42, which was commissioned in 1919 and received seven battle stars for service in World War II, according to a U.S. Navy press release.

(Photo: Courtesy United States Navy)