USS Idaho Commissioned: Inside Tour of the Navy’s Newest Submarine

Groton, Connecticut — The United States Navy will commission its newest fast-attack submarine, the USS Idaho (SSN 799), on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in a ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London.

The vessel, the 26th Virginia-class submarine built by General Dynamics Electric Boat, represents the latest addition to the U.S. Navy’s undersea fleet. Measuring 377 feet in length, the USS Idaho is designed for stealth, endurance and multi-mission capabilities, including intelligence gathering, strike operations, and special warfare support.

Commanding Officer Chad Guillerault will lead a crew of approximately 150 sailors aboard the submarine. Speaking during a media preview on Friday, Guillerault emphasized the boat’s readiness and symbolic importance.

She is the apex predator of the fleet. When she’s out there she is ready to do whatever the nation asks of her.

Commanding Officer Chad Guillerault

The submarine’s interior reflects both operational efficiency and close-knit crew life. Due to space constraints, some sailors share bunks, and multi-use furniture is common throughout the vessel—for example, dining tables that can convert into medical stations when needed.

Food preparation occurs daily, with months of supplies stored onboard to support extended deployments. The control room serves as the central hub for navigation, sensors, and weapons systems, including the management of the submarine’s 38-weapon payload, which features vertical launch tubes located near the sail.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Perez described the strong sense of camaraderie among the crew.

It’s good to show up to work and feel like I see more than people I work with. I can look to the left or right of me and see friends and family.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Perez

The USS Idaho maintains a direct connection to its namesake state. During the naming process, officials incorporated symbols from Idaho’s natural landscape into the vessel’s identity.

We christened it with all the different pristine lakes in Idaho as a symbol of our connection to this boat.

Idaho Governor Brad Little

The submarine’s motto, “Esto Perpetua” — Latin for “Let it be perpetual” — reflects the enduring commitment of its crew and the state it represents. The phrase is also the state motto of Idaho.

Electric Boat has constructed the USS Idaho over several years as part of an accelerated production schedule driven by evolving global security dynamics. Guillerault noted the significance of adding such a capable vessel to the fleet during uncertain times.

In these trying times, to put one more very capable warship into the fleet, it does my heart proud.

Commanding Officer Chad Guillerault

The commissioning ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday. Upon completion, the USS Idaho will officially enter active service and prepare for deployment to operational theaters as directed by national command authorities.

As the newest member of the Virginia-class fleet, the USS Idaho joins a lineage of submarines designed for quiet dominance beneath the waves. Its commissioning underscores the Navy’s continued investment in undersea warfare capabilities amid shifting international conditions.