by JOC Michael Foutch, USN, with information provided by Northrop Grumman Newport News
USS
CONSTRUCTI Heralded by First Lady, Senior Navy Leadership
s construction continues on USS Virginia (SSN-774), the next submarine of her class marked an important construction milestone in a ceremony 12 July at Northrop Grumman Newport News. First Lady Laura Bush authenticated the hull of Texas (SSN-775) by scrawling her initials in chalk on a steel plate, so they could be incised with welding rod and affixed to what will be the keel of the ship. Referring to the advanced design of the Navy’s newest class of fast-attack submarines, Mrs. Bush, the ship’s sponsor and a native of Midland, Texas, smiled and joked that “Texans love to brag – if something is newer, bigger and better, then it must be from Texas.” More than 200 guests, including a large group of shipyard workers, listened to a host of Navy and political leaders laud the significant effort already made toward building the ship.
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F A L L 2 0 0 2 U N D E R S E A W A R FA R E
The First Lady described the submarine’s namesake as a land of heroes, legends, and great adventures. “And Texas is the land of the cowboy, an all-American fellow who is polite and slow to anger but who also has an iron fist and steel-toed boots” – attributes she credited not only to Texans but also to all Americans. “I believe that spirit will be built into the core of this ship and its crew,” she added. “In the Texas vernacular, this submarine will be bigger and better than anything, anywhere, and it will be manned by the heroes and legends of the United States Navy.” The Virginia-class’s advanced technology will bring with it an increase in firepower, maneuverability, and stealth. These submarines are 377 feet long, will be able to stay submerged for up to three months at a time, and are capable of underwater speeds of more than 25 knots. They are designed to be multi-mission capable, with the most
advanced levels of stealth and new systems for intelligence gathering and deploying Naval Special Warfare forces in littoral areas. The new class also will serve as the stealthy platform of choice for ISR, strike, covert mining, SOF, ASW, and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) missions. “The keel laying is the first milestone – authenticating the foundation – of this ship,” said Thomas Shievelbein, President, Northrop Grumman Newport News. “But the real foundation is the shipbuilders who build it and the men who board it. This is a celebration of their skills and dedication.” “Four centuries ago, sailors arrived on our shores at Jamestown seeking freedom,” Virginia Governor Mark Warner said. “Today, our Sailors go around the world to protect freedom.” Texas, the second Virginia-class submarine, is under construction within a cooperative
