SSN 777 North Carolina
North Carolina (SSN 777) is being built by General Dynamics Electric Boat Division in Groton, Conn., and Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. The North Carolina is the fourth submarine of the Virginia class and is scheduled for christening in 2006 and commissioning in 2007.
The keel was laid and authenticated for the North Carolina on May 22, 2004 at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard. Linda Bowman, wife of Adm. Frank L. "Skip" Bowman, director, Naval Nuclear Reactors, is the boat's sponsor. Her initials were welded onto a metal plate that will be affixed in the submarine's auxiliary machinery room (AMR).
The submarine will be the fourth ship of the U.S. Navy to bear the name North Carolina. The first North Carolina was a 74-gun ship-of-the-line that served from 1820 to 1836. The second North Carolina (ACR 12) was a Tennessee-class armored cruiser that was also built at the Newport News shipyard and served from 1908 to 1921. The third North Carolina (BB 55) was the first of the Navy's modern battleships, serving from 1940 to 1947, earning 12 battle stars for service during World War II. The battleship now serves in Wilmington, N.C., as a memorial for all North Carolinians killed in World War II.
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina was the guest speaker at the keel laying and authentication ceremony.
The Virginia class will provide the Navy with the capabilities it requires to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. This next-generation attack submarine will have improved stealth and sophisticated surveillance capabilities, and special warfare enhancements that will enable it to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.
