USS Massachusetts, First Submarine Named After Bay State, Joins Navy Fleet

The newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine was christened by former Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg and is the fifth U.S. Navy vessel named after the state.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:03pm

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The USS Massachusetts, the Navy's newest nuclear-powered attack submarine, officially joined the fleet on Saturday after a commissioning ceremony in Boston. The $2.8 billion, 8,000-ton submarine can dive to depths greater than 800 feet and carry 24 Tomahawk cruise missiles. It is the first submarine named after the state of Massachusetts and the 25th Virginia-class submarine co-produced by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding.

Why it matters

The commissioning of the USS Massachusetts marks an important milestone for the state, which has a long history of contributing to the U.S. Navy. The submarine's design and crew composition also reflect the Navy's efforts to modernize and promote gender integration, with 25% of the 147-person crew being women.

The details

The USS Massachusetts was christened on May 6, 2023, by the ship's sponsor, Sheryl Sandberg, the former COO of Meta. It is the fifth U.S. Navy vessel named after the state of Massachusetts, with the first being a steamer built in 1845 and the last being the USS Massachusetts, BB 59, a South Dakota-class fast battleship commissioned in 1942. The new submarine is intentionally designed to be served on by both women and men, with 39 of the 147-person crew being female.

  • The USS Massachusetts was christened on May 6, 2023.
  • The USS Massachusetts officially joined the Navy fleet on Saturday, March 28, 2026, after a commissioning ceremony in Boston.

The players

USS Massachusetts

The Navy's newest nuclear-powered attack submarine, the 25th Virginia-class submarine co-produced by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding.

Sheryl Sandberg

The former COO of Meta, who served as the ship's sponsor and christened the USS Massachusetts on May 6, 2023.

Mike Siedsma

The commanding officer of the USS Massachusetts, a 21-year Navy veteran who has spent time on four different classes of submarines.

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What they’re saying

“To be able to take a ship from new construction and watch it be built together by the ship yard, train with our team and bring into Boston Harbor for the first time, it's very amazing.”

— Mike Siedsma, Commanding Officer, USS Massachusetts

“The geopolitical situation is very interesting. What is important to remember is what we are doing is proving the power of the United States Navy.”

— Mike Siedsma, Commanding Officer, USS Massachusetts

“Those sailors just don't inspire me. They inspire every little girl out there to believe that she could do anything.”

— Sheryl Sandberg, Ship Sponsor, USS Massachusetts

What’s next

The USS Massachusetts will now begin its operational duties, with its specific deployment plans not publicly disclosed.

The takeaway

The commissioning of the USS Massachusetts, the first submarine named after the state, highlights Massachusetts' longstanding contributions to the U.S. Navy and the service's efforts to modernize and promote gender integration within its ranks.