ABOARD THE U.S. NAVY SUBMARINE TEXAS - The big red panic button here is on a computer touch screen, the steering instruments a couple joysticks instead of two cumbersome hydraulic yokes.

Its periscope projects sea-level surroundings onto a 30-inch (76-centimeter) monitor instead of a lookout sailor's eye, and the expanded payload is made to carry and deploy special forces teams anywhere in the world.

The U.S. Navy debuted its newest nuclear-powered submarine Friday in an Atlantic Ocean swing off the Florida coast, the second in the latest fast-attack class that marks a broad departure from the Cold War-era deterrence boats.

The Texas, which will officially earn a "USS" designator in a commissioning ceremony in two weeks, weighs 7,800 tons, measures 377 feet (115 meters) long and can remain submerged on covert surveillance up to three months. It travels faster than 25 knots underwater and dives farther than 800 feet (244 meters).

"It's much more effective than any ship I've been on before," said Capt. John Litherland, who has been on more than 50. "It's not the fastest, but the difference is that it's quiet even at its top speed."

Perhaps the biggest improvement is the ability to travel with a small special forces submarine, nine commandos and their gear. Previous subs would have carried only three Navy SEALS.

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/...topstories.RSS