Navy Secretary to Host USS Illinois Naming Ceremony

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will host a ship naming ceremony in honor of USS Illinois, June 22, at 2 p.m. CDT at the Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, Ill.

Illinois, a Virginia-class submarine designated SSN 786, is the second Navy vessel to bear the "Prairie State's" name. The previous Illinois, a battleship (BB 7), circumnavigated the globe as part of the Great White Fleet (1908-1909). Illinois is home to the Navy's one and only Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes where every enlisted Sailor begins his or her service.

This next-generation attack submarine will provide the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. Virginia-class submarines will have enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities, and special warfare enhancements that will enable them to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.

The future USS Illinois will have the capability to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land area, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; mine delivery and minefield mapping. It is also designed for special forces delivery and support.

SSN 786 will be built at Electric Boat in Groton, Conn, will be 7,800-tons and 377 feet in length, have a beam of 34 feet, and operate at more than 25 knots submerged. It is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship, reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time. Virginia-class submarines are built under a unique teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News.

Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at 703-697-5342.

For more information about attack submarines, visit http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4100&tid=100&ct=4.

For more news from the Secretary of the Navy, visit http://www.navy.mil/SECNAV.