The Navy's latest budget request establishes the formal start of research and development for SSN(X), a next-generation attack submarine that is faster, stealthier and capable of carrying more torpedoes than its predecessor, the Virginia class. "Unlike the Virginia-class submarine, which was designed for multi-mission dominance in the littoral, SSN(X) will be designed for greater transit speed under increased stealth conditions in all ocean environments, and carry a larger inventory of weapons and diverse payloads," according to the service's fiscal year...