U.S. Navy's New Virginia-Class Submarine New Mexico (SSN 779) Successfully Launched

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22 january 2009

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Jan. 22, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) reached a milestone Jan. 18 by launching the Virginia-class submarine New Mexico (SSN 779) at the company's Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va.

"Launching a ship is always a proud moment for the shipbuilders and crew," said Becky Stewart, vice president of submarine programs for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News. "Our Virginia-class team has done an excellent job of achieving this milestone and furthering our efforts to deliver New Mexico eight months ahead of schedule."

On January 15, shipbuilders used a transfer car system to move the 7,800-ton New Mexico out of a construction facility to a floating dry dock. Three days later, they submerged the floating dry dock and successfully launched New Mexico into the James River. Once in the water, tugboats moved New Mexico to the shipyard's submarine pier where final outfitting and testing will take place.

Cmdr. Mark Prokopius, Prospective Commanding Officer of the Pre-Commissioning Unit New Mexico, was on board as the submarine touched water for the first time. "It's great to get our ship into the water," said Prokopius. "My crew and I are excited about achieving this significant milestone, and although we know there is a lot of work to do, launch brought with it a sense of accomplishment, a feeling of being operational and renewed energy. We look forward to working with the shipbuilders to complete construction and testing and taking her to sea later this year."

New Mexico is the sixth ship of the Virginia class. With improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements, it will provide undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. The ship's construction began March 2004 and the ship's sponsor, Cindy Giambastiani, christened the ship during a ceremony held Dec. 13, 2008. New Mexico is scheduled for delivery in Aug. 2009.

Source: Northrop Grumman

New Mexico is the sixth ship of the Virginia class. With improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements, it will provide undersea supremacy well into the 21st century.

 

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New Mexico's Crew Moves Aboard, Eats First Meal
UNITED STATES - 3 AUGUST 2009

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) reached a milestone in the life of the newest Virginia-class submarine, New Mexico (SSN 779), as the crew began moving aboard and ate the first meal prepared in the ship's galley on July 28.

New Mexico, named for "The Land of Enchantment," is in the final stages of construction and testing at the company's Newport News shipyard. The submarine's next significant construction milestone is its initial sea trials, an aggressive series of operational tests that demonstrate the submarine's capabilities.

Kelly Nutter, Virginia class construction director for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding said, "This stage of construction is a tremendous milestone for the shipyard and the crew. This is when the shipbuilder and sailor work side by side and we begin the process of turning over systems and compartments to the Navy. It is when the Navy begins to take ownership of their submarine."

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, one of only two companies capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines, is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build the Virginia-class submarines. New Mexico is the sixth ship in the class and, upon delivery to the Navy this fall, will be the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world.

The ship's construction began March 2004 and the keel was laid during a ceremony held April 12, 2008. New Mexico was christened on Dec. 13, 2008 and launched on January 22, 2009. The commissioning date has been set by the Secretary of the Navy for Nov. 21, 2009.



Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

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Northrop Grumman-Built Submarine New Mexico (SSN 779) Returns From Successful Sea Trials
UNITED STATES - 2 DECEMBER 2009

New Mexico (SSN 779), the nation's newest and most advanced nuclear-powered submarine, returned to Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va. after completing the ship's first round of successful sea trials on Nov. 26.

Sea trials provide an opportunity to test all systems, components and compartments and include submerging for the first time, high-speed runs while on the surface and submerged, and a demonstration of the submarine's other capabilities.

"The first sea trial is a milestone that the entire shipbuilding and Navy team has been working hard to achieve," said Becky Stewart, vice president for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's submarine program. "This accomplishment is a testament to the craftsmanship, dedication, persistence, and pride that our people take in the product they build -- a very complex and high quality submarine."

New Mexico is the sixth ship of the Virginia class and is in the final stages of construction and testing at the company's Newport News shipyard. Delivery to the U.S. Navy is scheduled by the end of this year. The keel for New Mexico was authenticated April 12, 2008. The ship was christened on Dec. 13, 2008.

New Mexico is named for "The Land of Enchantment." Upon delivery to the Navy this year, it will be the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world, providing undersea supremacy well into the 21st century.

Northrop Grumman Newport News is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build the first 18 ships of the Virginia class. Current plans call for 30 Virginia-class submarines in the fleet. Using millions of parts from over 4,000 suppliers in 47 states and the District of Columbia, Virginia-class submarines incorporate dozens of new technologies and innovations and are the first major combatants designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind.


New Mexico (SSN 779), the nation's newest and most advanced nuclear-powered submarine, returned to Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va. after completing the ship's first round of successful sea trials on Nov. 26.






Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation