Why the next U.S. attack submarine may resemble Seawolf

What do the U.S. Navy's plans for a more Seawolf-like next SSN mean for the Virginia-class approach?

It suggests a return to high-end peer-competition capability after the cheaper, more flexible Virginia approach matched an era of perceived American advantage.

Seawolf resembles the F-22: an exceptionally capable design that was too expensive for large-scale construction once the perceived threat changed. Virginia reflects a different strategic moment and procurement logic. A future successor built for renewed peer competition may therefore resemble Seawolf's capability ambition while using newer technology from the keel up.