United States Navy to Commission Submarine Illinois

[Hindustani78]

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=97407

Story Number: NNS161028-05Release Date: 10/28/2016 9:45:00 AM

From Department of Defense
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will commission its newest fast attack submarine, the future USS Illinois (SSN 786), during an 11 a.m. EDT ceremony Saturday, Oct. 29, at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut.

Adm. John Richardson, chief of naval operations, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. First Lady Michelle Obama is serving as the ship's sponsor. In a time-honored Navy tradition, she will give the order to "man our ship and bring her to life!"

"USS Illinois is one of the most technologically advanced platforms in the world," said the Honorable Ray Mabus, secretary of the Navy. "This submarine represents not only the Navy's lasting connection to the state of Illinois but also the American innovation and manufacturing skill that have given us such a powerful advantage, making us the most powerful expeditionary fighting force the world has ever known."

Illinois is the 13th Virginia-class fast attack submarine and the third Virginia-class block III submarine. This next-generation attack submarine provides the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century.

The submarine is only the second U.S. Navy ship to be commissioned with the name Illinois. The previous Illinois (BB 7), a battleship, was built at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, laid down in 1897 and was the lead ship of a class of three 11,565-ton battleships. In December 1907, Illinois steamed out of Hampton Roads, Virginia, to begin a voyage with the Great White Fleet. In January 1941, she was renamed Prairie State (IX-15) and served through World War II as a midshipmen's training school.

Illinois has the capability to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, 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.

Virginia-class submarines are 7,800 tons and 377 feet in length, have a beam of 34 feet and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. They are built with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship-reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.

 

[Hindustani78]

From U.S. Naval Submarine Forces Atlantic
GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy with assistance from the First Lady Michelle Obama commissioned and brought to life the newest Virginia class submarine, USS Illinois (SSN 786), during a ceremony attended by more than 2,500 at Naval Submarine Base, New London on Oct. 29, 2016.

Illinois, named in honor of the 21st state, is the 13th Virginia-class, fast-attack submarine to join the Navy's operational fleet.

The first lady, who is the ships sponsor, expressed how proud she was of the crew and their families.

"Thank you for giving me the incredible privilege of being associated with you and with your families and with the Illinois for the rest of my life. I will continue to keep you in my prayers every single day and keep you in my thoughts, and know that you have a sponsor that cares deeply."

Obama gave the order to "man our ship and bring her to life" before the crew of about 130 men ran across the brow, onto the vessel.

"There are many out there who have been waiting a long time to address you-not as a PCU, but as a United States Ship-the USS Illinois-a warship," said key note speaker, Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. John Richardson.

Illinois is the third of eight Block III Virginia-class submarines to be built. The Block III submarines are built with new Virginia Payload Tubes designed to lower costs and increase missile-firing payload possibilities. The first 10 Block I and Block II Virginia-class submarines have 12 individual 21-inch diameter vertical launch tubes able to fire Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMS). The Block III submarines are built with two-larger 87-inch diameter tubes able to house six TLAMS each.

USS Illinois Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jessie Porter, highlighted the Illinois' capability to dominate the undersea domain and enable military success in any engagement.

"Over the coming years, this submarine -and others like her-will continue the impressive legacy that our submarine forbearers have established in making our country more secure," said Porter.

"The Illinois has joined the fleet," said Porter. "The crew of Illinois has assumed our watch-a watch that will continue for the next 30 years-always waiting for the call, always ready."

During the ceremony, Obama had the opportunity to announce Illinois' Sailor of the Year, Petty Officer First Class Ryan Mock.

The first USS Illinois (BB 7) was a battleship commissioned in 1901 and was part of President Theodore Roosevelt's Great White Fleet that circumnavigated the world in 1907, introducing America as a global power.

Illinois is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.

The submarine is 377 feet long, has a 34-foot beam, and will be able to dive to depths greater than 800 feet and operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots submerged. It will operate for over 30 years without ever refueling.

Construction on Illinois began March 2011; the submarine's keel was authenticated during a ceremony on June 2, 2014; and the submarine was christened during a ceremony Oct. 10, 2015.

161029-N-HI707-073 GROTON, Conn. (Oct. 29, 2016) The first watch stands ready to assume the duty aboard USS Illinois (SSN 786) on Naval Submarine Base New London, Oct. 29. USS Illinois is the U.S. Navy's 13th Virginia-Class attack submarine and the fourth ship named for the State of Illinois. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Darryl I. Wood/Released)

161029-N-ES994-014 GROTON, Conn. (Oct. 29, 2016) Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson delivers the principal address at the commissioning ceremony for the Navy's newest fast attack submarine, USS Illinois (SSN 786) at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn. Illinois is the 13th Virginia-class fast attack submarine and the third Virginia-class block III submarine. This next-generation attack submarine provides the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Elliott Fabrizio/Released)

161029-N-HI707-293 GROTON, Conn. (Oct. 29, 2016) First Lady Michelle Obama announces "Bring the Ship to Life" spurring its crew members to race across the brow and fall in formation aboard USS Illinois (SSN 786) during the commissioning ceremony on Naval Submarine Base New London, Oct. 29. USS Illinois is the U.S. Navy's 13th Virginia-Class attack submarine and the fourth ship named for the State of Illinois. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Darryl I. Wood/Released)

161028-N-ZI635-003 WASHINGTON (Oct. 28, 2016) An informational graphic describing the Virginia-class attack submarine USS Illinois (SSN 786). The boat will be commissioned Oct. 29 in Groton, Conn. (U.S. Navy graphic illustration by Petty Officer 2nd Class George M. Bell/Released)

161029-N-ES994-022 GROTON, Conn. (Oct. 29, 2016) Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson delivers the principal address at the commissioning ceremony for the Navy's newest fast attack submarine, USS Illinois (SSN 786) at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn. Illinois is the 13th Virginia-class fast attack submarine and the third Virginia-class block III submarine. This next-generation attack submarine provides the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Elliott Fabrizio/Released)

161029-N-HI707-957 GROTON, Conn. (Oct. 29, 2016) The Color Guard stands ready to parade the colors during the commissioning ceremony of USS Illinois (SSN 786) on Naval Submarine Base New London, Oct. 29. USS Illinois is the U.S. Navy's 13th Virginia-Class attack submarine and the fourth ship named for the State of Illinois. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Darryl I. Wood/Released)

161029-N-HI707-053 GROTON, Conn. (Oct. 29, 2016) First Lady Michelle Obama, ships sponsor of USS Illinois (SSN 786), arrives at the commissioning ceremony on Naval Submarine Base New London, Oct. 29. USS Illinois is the U.S. Navy's 13th Virginia-Class attack submarine and the fourth ship named for the State of Illinois. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Darryl I. Wood/Released)

161029-N-HI707-238 GROTON, Conn. (Oct. 29, 2016) Sailors assigned to USS Illinois (SSN 786) raise the national ensign aboard USS Illinois during its commissioning ceremony on Naval Submarine Base New London, Oct. 29. USS Illinois is the U.S. Navy's 13th Virginia-Class attack submarine and the fourth ship named for the State of Illinois. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Darryl I. Wood/Released)

 

[Hindustani78]

161029-N-HI707-246 GROTON, Conn. (Oct. 29, 2016) Cmdr. Jesse Porter, commanding officer of USS Illinois (SSN 786), offers remarks at the commissioning ceremony of USS Illinois on Naval Submarine Base New London, Oct. 29. USS Illinois is the U.S. Navy's 13th Virginia-Class attack submarine and the fourth ship named for the State of Illinois. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Darryl I. Wood/Released)

161029-N-HI707-974 GROTON, Conn. (Oct. 29, 2016) A guest dressed as Abraham Lincoln attend the commissioning ceremony of USS Illinois (SSN 786) and shakes hands of the crew on Naval Submarine Base New London, Oct. 29. USS Illinois is the U.S. Navy's 13th Virginia-Class attack submarine and the fourth ship named for the State of Illinois. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Darryl I. Wood/Released)

160801-O-N0101-111 GROTON, Conn. (Aug. 1, 2016) The future Virginia-class attack submarine USS Illinois (SSN 786) conducts sea trials. Illinois is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of General Dynamics Electric Boat/Released)

160801-O-N0101-110 GROTON, Conn. (Aug. 1, 2016) The future Virginia-class attack submarine USS Illinois (SSN 786) conducts sea trials. Illinois is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of General Dynamics Electric Boat/Released)