HII launches 25th Virginia-class submarine

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: NYSE:) has successfully launched the Virginia-class submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798) into the James River at its Newport News Shipbuilding division, marking a significant milestone in the vessel’s journey towards active duty in the U.S. Navy.

The submarine was transferred from a construction facility to a floating dry dock and then moved by tugboats to the shipyard’s submarine pier for final outfitting, testing, and crew certification.

The Massachusetts is the 25th Virginia-class fast attack submarine and the 12th of its class to be delivered by Newport News Shipbuilding, one of only two shipyards in the United States with the capability to design and construct nuclear-powered submarines.

The Virginia-class submarines are designed for a wide range of missions in both open-ocean and coastal waters and are set to replace the retiring Los Angeles-class submarines. They boast advanced technologies that enhance firepower, maneuverability, and stealth, contributing to their superior warfighting capabilities.

According to Jason Ward, NNS vice president of Virginia-class submarine construction, the launch of the Massachusetts into the river is a moment of immense pride for the shipbuilding team.

The event follows the submarine’s christening in May and underscores the team’s commitment to delivering a critical national security asset to the Navy. These submarines are known for their ability to support multiple mission areas and can operate at speeds exceeding 25 knots.

HII is recognized as the largest military shipbuilder in the nation, with a workforce of 44,000 and a history of over 135 years in advancing U.S. national security. The company’s expertise extends beyond shipbuilding to include unmanned systems, cyber intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), and synthetic training solutions.

The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Huntington Ingalls Industries.

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