U.S. Naval War College Faculty and Staff Visit Submarine After Groundbreaking U.S. European Command Deployment

GROTON, Connecticut – Members of the faculty and staff of the U.S. Naval War College visited the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) following its six-month deployment, during which the submarine broke new ground in the field of unmanned undersea technology.

The faculty visit took place pierside at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.

It served as part of the Newport, Rhode Island,-based school’s continuous and regular interactions with operational forces, discussing current technologies, tactics and challenges with front-line personnel to ensure the war college is best preparing warfighters for any conflict.

Delaware was commissioned in 2020 as one of the Navy’s newest fast-attack submarines.

It returned to Connecticut on July 5, less than a month before the faculty visit, having successfully completed a six-month deployment to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

During its deployment, Delaware completed the first-ever forward-deployed submarine torpedo tube launch and recovery of a Yellow Moray (REMUS 600) unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). The integration of robotic and autonomous systems is expected to enhance operational flexibility and capabilities of future submarine missions, providing the ability to extend reach at both shallower and deeper depths than a manned submarine can access.

On July 25, the Naval War College hosted a demonstration of a solar-powered Seasats Lightfish unmanned surface vehicle (USV) in the waters off its Newport campus, providing faculty and staff an opportunity to engage with some of the latest in unmanned technology.

Emerging technologies, like unmanned systems, and their applications and effects in current and future warfare, are widely studied throughout NWC’s education and research efforts. The topic is covered in coursework, lecture series, faculty research and wargaming.

One of NWC's elective courses “Unmanned Systems and Conflict in the 21st Century” exposes students to contemporary and projected unmanned and robotic systems in use with the Department of Defense and in the private sector.

Established in 1884, NWC informs today’s decision-makers and educates tomorrow’s leaders by providing educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop their ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage.