While the Virginia class's maximum speed and total weapons capacity are lower than that of its predecessor, its information-gathering suite is unparalleled. Punch in your desired course and depth, and the sub steers itself. The control systems operate as a network. It's like Captain Kirk in his fancy chair, driving a starship around. We're not quite there yet, but we're getting closer to that concept.
Information also circulates to key locations inside the ship.
For the first time, the commanding officers' and the executive officers' staterooms are outfitted with vertical touch-screen monitors on which they can view any information from the terminals in the command center.