Baltimore and sister ship SSN-813 were ordered during the 2024 Fiscal Year budget at a combined cost of $9.4 billion.[1]
Design
Compared to Blocks I-IV of Virginia-class submarines, Block V vessels will incorporate previously introduced modifications to the base design in addition to a Virginia Payload Module (VPM). The VPM inserts a segment into the boat's hull which adds four vertical launch tubes. Each tube allows for the carrying of seven Tomahawk strike missiles, increasing her armament to a total of 40 missiles.[2][3]