Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) made an exciting announcement regarding the recent launch of the Virginia-class submarine New Jersey (SSN 796) into the James River.
This significant event took place at the Newport News Shipbuilding division of the company. The 7,800-ton submarine had been housed in a floating dry dock since its transfer from a construction facility in March.
Virginia-class submarine (SSN 796)
Following the launch, it was submerged and carefully moved by tugboats to the shipyard’s submarine pier for final outfitting, testing, and crew certification.
Engaging in a collaborative effort with General Dynamics Electric Boat through a teaming agreement, around 10,000 shipbuilders and suppliers from 50 states have actively contributed to the construction of the New Jersey since its inception in 2016.
The submarine is reported to be approximately 92% complete, marking a significant milestone in its development.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the achievement, Jason Hard, Newport News’ Vice President of Virginia-class submarine construction, stated, “Achieving this construction milestone is a very rewarding event for our shipbuilding team.
Our shipbuilders and suppliers have dedicated years of hard work to this critical capability that will maintain our customer’s undersea superiority.
We now look forward to executing our waterborne test program and working towards sea trials so we can deliver to the Navy.
Virginia-class submarines, renowned for their nuclear-powered fast attack capabilities, are designed to undertake a wide range of open-ocean and littoral missions, effectively replacing the Navy’s retiring Los Angeles-class submarines.
These submarines incorporate numerous advanced technologies and innovations that enhance their firepower, maneuverability, and stealth, significantly boosting their overall combat capabilities.
They are capable of supporting multiple mission areas and can operate at speeds exceeding 25 knots for extended periods.
Huntington Ingalls, recognized globally as America’s largest shipbuilder, is an all-domain defense and technologies powerhouse.
With a rich history spanning 135 years and a commitment to trusted partnerships in advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities ranging from the most powerful and survivable naval ships ever built to unmanned systems, ISR, and AI/ML analytics.
Headquartered in Virginia-class submarines, HII’s skilled workforce numbers 44,000 strong.
The company, ranked No. 371 on the Fortune 500, was established on March 31, 2011, as a spin-off of Northrop Grumman.
HII comprises three divisions: Newport News Shipbuilding, Ingalls Shipbuilding, and Mission Technologies.
The shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have constructed more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder, underlining HII’s pivotal role in supporting and enabling an all-domain force.
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