title 'The Elements of Virginia'

The last time UNDERSEA WARFARE Magazine looked at the new Virginia-class, USS Virginia (SSN-774), and USS Texas (SSN-775) were the only two submarines commissioned and USS Hawaii (SSN-776) had just been delivered.

Since then, Hawaii and USS North Carolina (SSN-777) have been commissioned. USS New Hampshire (SSN-778) is the next submarine to be added to the commissioned list, with her commissioning set for Oct. 25.

Throughout all of the keel layings, christenings, commissionings and other milestones, the Virginia-class submarines are proving their worth at sea and are continuing their legacy of construction success.

 
information USS Virginia

On Sept. 10, 1998, then-Secretary of the Navy, John H. Dalton, announced his decision to name the lead ship of the new attack submarine class the USS Virginia (SSN-774), thus giving the Navy’s newest class of submarines the name Virginia-class.

Virginia’s keel was laid Sept. 2, 1999 and her pressure hull was completed on Nov. 15, 2002. Mrs. Lynda Johnson Robb, wife of former U.S. Senator Chuck Robb, daughter of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, and the submarine’s sponsor, christened Virginia during a ceremony at General Dynamics Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Conn., on Aug. 16, 2003. Virginia was delivered to the Navy on Oct. 12, 2004 and commissioned 11 days later at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va. on Oct. 23, 2004.

Virginia completed a successful deployment prior to completing her post-shakedown availability (PSA) a major milestone for the program. She is currently supporting the Virginia-class operational evaluation (OPEVAL).

image caption follows
Commander, Submarine Force, Vice Adm. Jay Donnelly and Secretary of the Navy,
Donald C. Winter, visit USSVirginia(SSN-774).

image caption precedes
USSVirginia(SSN-774) prior to her christening ceremony at
General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn.

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