General Dynamics Electric Boat has christened the Virginia-class submarine Idaho (SSN 799) at its shipyard in Groton, Connecticut.
Electric Boat and its partner Newport News Shipbuilding share construction of the Virginia class in a teaming agreement. The vessel has been designed for the full range of 21st-century mission requirements, including anti-submarine and surface ship warfare and special operations support.
Virginia-class submarine
The term ‘Virginia class’ refers to a specific type of nuclear-powered submarine that is currently used by the United States Navy. Idaho is the 26th submarine in the Virginia class, and the 13th submarine in the class to be delivered by Electric Boat.
The submarine will be the fourth US Navy warship to carry the name Idaho and the first US Navy submarine. Its name comes from the technology’s history; the first naval nuclear propulsion plant prototypes were located at the Naval Reactors Facility at the Idaho National Laboratory, including the S1W reactor prototype for USS Nautilus.
Construction began on the world’s first operational nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus, at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut in 1952. Then, from 1953 to 1995, the project returned to Idaho when over 40,000 sailors visited the state for training before being assigned to nuclear-powered ships.
Boat christening
The christening took place in the shipyard’s Virginia-class assembly building in front of an audience of approximately 4,000 people, including Electric Boat shipbuilders, members of the ship’s crew, US Navy personnel and government officials.
“The christening ceremony also provides the opportunity to salute the thousands of people who work hard in support of the Virginia-class submarine program,” said Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics Electric Boat. “I am proud of Electric Boat’s shipbuilders, and the skills, capabilities and commitment they bring to their work every day, resulting in magnificent submarines like PCU Idaho. This year, we’re celebrating Electric Boat’s 125th anniversary and our company’s legacy of innovation that spans three centuries. We are committed to helping the US Navy outpace our adversaries and ensure our nation’s continued dominance in the undersea domain.”
In related news, Leonardo DRS was awarded contracts valued at over US$3bn, when fully funded, to provide integrated electric propulsion system products for the US Navy’s Columbia-class submarines. Click here to read the full story.
