Don’t Mess With Texas: Why the USS Texas (SSN-775) is the Real Lone Star in the Deep Blue!
Hey Warhead Collective crew!
You know we love everything that floats, flies, or sneaks silently beneath the waves. And today, we’re diving deep—literally—into the heart of a nuclear-powered powerhouse that embodies raw, unapologetic swagger: the USS Texas (SSN-775).
This isn’t just any submarine, folks. This is the ship with a motto so iconic, it’s practically its own legend: “Don’t Mess With Texas!”
section 1: the overview
More Than Just a Really Big Can of Whoop-Ass
Before we talk shop designs, let’s get acquainted with this aquatic titan. The USS Texas is a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine. Think of the Virginia-class as the Navy’s versatile, high-tech, underwater ninja. They’re designed to do a little bit of everything, from tracking other subs (Anti-Submarine Warfare, or ASW, for the nerds out there) to intelligence gathering, to launching precision strikes on land targets.
She’s the fourth U.S. Navy vessel to bear the name of the Lone Star State. Texas was laid down in 2002, launched in 2005, and officially joined the fleet on September 9, 2006, in Galveston, Texas, to the delight of about 10,000 very enthusiastic Texans. When a nuclear sub rolls into town, you know it’s a big deal.
section 2: History & context
The Bragging Rights (AKA the Stats)
You can’t talk about a sub without dropping some intimidating numbers. Here’s the tale of the tape for the Texas:
- Length: A whopping 377 feet (that’s longer than a football field, including the end zones! Good luck fitting that in your driveway).
- Beam (Width): 34 feet. Plenty of elbow room, unless you’re trying to pass someone in a narrow passageway after taco night.
- Displacement (Submerged): Approximately 7,800 tons. That’s a serious amount of displacement—or what we call “making a very large ripple” when she decides to move.
- Propulsion: One nuclear reactor, specifically a General Electric S9G. Why nuclear? Because running out of gas 800 feet under the surface is generally frowned upon. This baby can essentially run at top speed (exceeding 25 knots submerged—that’s over 29 mph underwater!) for 33 years without needing to refuel. Talk about range!
- Armament: She comes equipped with four 533mm torpedo tubes for firing the famous Mark 48 torpedoes, and a rack of 12 Vertical Launch System (VLS) tubes for Tomahawk cruise missiles. In non-military terms: a truly terrifying toolbox.
The Virginia-class subs are considered the cutting edge of underwater technology, replacing the venerable Los Angeles-class boats. They were built with modular construction—meaning they’re designed to be upgraded and maintained much easier than their predecessors. It’s the military equivalent of having a computer built with easily swappable parts. Smart, efficient, and lethal.
Section 3: The mottos story
The Unstoppable Slogan: “Don’t Mess With Texas!”
Here’s the real kicker, the thing that makes the Texas stand out in a line-up of incredibly cool submarines: that motto.
“Don’t Mess With Texas!”
It wasn’t originally a battle cry. Legend has it the phrase was cooked up for an anti-litter campaign in the 1980s. Seriously! It was designed to discourage Texans from illegally dumping trash by appealing to their state pride. The message was, “Trash up our state, and you’re messing with Texas.”
Now, imagine that same raw, territorial energy, but applied to a 7,800-ton, nuclear-powered, Tomahawk-slinging attack submarine. The sub’s crew embraced it, and it fits like a glove. It’s not just a warning—it’s a statement of mission and capability. If you find yourself on the business end of a stealthy Virginia-class boat, you know you’ve already really messed up.
Section 4: The Product Pitch
The Warhead Collective Design: Simple, Bold, and Texan AF
And that brings us to the whole reason we’re chatting today—the Warhead Collective USS Texas SSN-775 design you can snag right now in the shop.
As you might recall, I was just starting out with the shop and I wanted to create a design that was as uncomplicated and potent as the vessel itself. Sometimes, you don’t need a thousand tiny details to capture the spirit of a machine; you just need to nail the essentials.
The Inspiration: Less is More
- The Submarine: A Virginia-class sub is immediately recognizable. It’s sleek, it’s modern, and it screams stealth. We put the sub front and center, pushing forward, symbolizing its primary role as a relentless, forward-deployed attack vessel.
- The Flag: You can’t talk Texas without the Lone Star Flag. It’s one of the most distinctive and beloved state flags in the Union. Placing the sub directly in front of the flag was the key design choice. It visually connects the ship’s purpose—protecting the US—with its namesake’s legendary pride. The ship is the state’s shield.
- The Motto: “Don’t Mess With Texas!” Impossible to ignore. It’s the ultimate anchor for the design. It turns a cool drawing into a mission statement.
No need for complicated borders and crazy fonts. The power of the design is in its stark contrast and immediate message. It was a perfect storm of simple shapes and a bold statement. It’s proof that a good idea doesn’t need to be complex to be impactful.
It was one of the very first designs I ever uploaded when I started the shop, and honestly, seeing the final product—the stealthy, modern sub against the defiant Lone Star Flag—it just hit different. It helped set the tone for the entire brand: respecting the gear and the attitude behind it, with designs that don’t clutter the message.
Section 5: Conclusion
A Final Thought from the Deep
The USS Texas (SSN-775) is more than just a 377-foot tube of incredible technology. She is a symbol of immense power, stealth, and that singular, indomitable Texas spirit. She’s out there, right now, silently enforcing the world’s most polite, yet firm, suggestion: Don’t Mess With Texas!
So whether you’re a submariner, a proud Texan, or just someone who appreciates a piece of hardware that delivers on its promises, go check out the design in the shop. Wear it with pride, because you’re rocking the spirit of one of the Navy’s most legendary attack boats.
Stay salty, Warheads, and never stop exploring the gear that gets the job done!
Would you like to see a design added to the Warhead Collective Collection? Get in touch with us here!
