USS Miami (SSN-755) - Los Angeles-Class Fast Attack Submarine, Post-Cold War Era (1/350)

This model represents the United States Navy Los Angeles–class fast attack submarine USS Miami (SSN-755 USS Virginia (SSN-774) is the lead boat of the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines and represents the United States Navy’s post–Cold War approach to undersea warfare. Designed to replace aging Los Angeles–class submarines, the Virginia class emphasizes stealth, versatility, and advanced sensor integration rather than raw speed alone. 

Unlike earlier Cold War designs optimized primarily for deep-ocean submarine hunting, the Virginia class was developed to operate effectively in both open-ocean and littoral environments. These submarines are capable of intelligence gathering, special operations support, land-attack missions, and traditional anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, reflecting the broader mission set of modern naval operations.

This model is presented in 1/350 scale and was finished using acrylics with oils applied for subtle weathering. As with all of my submarine builds, it is mounted on a standardized hand-cut hardwood base painted to represent a simple slipway. Each base includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for immediate size comparison, and a QR code that links to detailed historical and technical information about the submarine depicted.

This build was intended to capture the clean lines and understated presence of the Virginia class, emphasizing function over spectacle and reflecting the quiet, persistent role these submarines play in modern naval strategy.

USS Miami was part of the prolific Los Angeles–class, a class that formed the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s attack submarine force from the late Cold War through the early post–Cold War period. Designed for speed, stealth, and versatility, these submarines were optimized for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface operations, intelligence gathering, and land-attack missions using cruise missiles. Their combination of nuclear propulsion, advanced sonar systems, and high sustained speed made them dominant undersea platforms for decades.

Commissioned in 1990, USS Miami served during a transitional era in which the U.S. Navy shifted from Cold War deterrence toward regional conflict response, surveillance, and power projection. The Los Angeles–class proved highly adaptable to this changing mission set, remaining operationally relevant well beyond their original design expectations.

Weathering on this model was intentionally kept restrained, reflecting a maintained fleet submarine rather than a heavily worn hull. The emphasis was placed on clean lines, correct proportions, and an accurate silhouette, allowing the form of the Los Angeles–class design to speak for itself without excessive visual effects.