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August 5, 2003
First Virginia class sub set for christening
The U.S. Navy's newest and most advanced nuclear attack submarine, Virginia (SSN-774), moved outdoors for the first time last Saturday at General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Conn.
With a length of 377 feet, a beam of 34 feet and a displacement of 7,800 tons, the Virginia is the first U.S. submarine designed to satisfy the requirements of regional and near-land missions in the post-Cold War era. The ship is also designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship -- reducing life-cycle costs while increasing underway time.
Virginia-class submarines will carry payloads that include special operations forces; unmanned undersea vehicles; mini-submarines to transport special operations personnel; and 38 weapons (torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles).
Designed by Electric Boat, the Virginia class is being built jointly under a teaming arrangement between Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Newport News in Virginia. In 1998, the U.S. Navy awarded a $4.2 billion contract for the construction of the first four ships of the class. Virginia is the first of these.
Virginia will be christened at a shipyard ceremony Saturday, Aug. 16, at 11 a.m.
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