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Navy Christens PCU Virginia

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030821-02

Release Date: 8/21/2003 10:17:00 AM

By Journalist 2nd Class Steve Feller, Commander Navy Region Northeast Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- "In the name of the United States, I christen thee, Virginia. May God bless her and all who sail in her."

With those words and a swing of a champagne bottle, PCU Virginia (SSN 774) sponsor Lynda Johnson Robb, wife of former U.S. Senator Charles S. Robb of Virginia and daughter of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, christened PCU Virginia Aug. 16 here at Electric Boat.

"I'm very pleased to sponsor Virginia. I'm delighted to be here today, and I think I managed to bless about everyone on that platform with that champagne," said Robb.

As the crowd took their seats and Navy Band Northeast filled the air with patriotic music, Virginia Prospective Commanding Officer Capt. David J. Kern led his crew aboard the sub where they stood in ranks, ready to bear witness of Virginia's christening.

For the crew of Virginia and for the Navy, Saturday's event had special significance for two reasons. According to Electric Boat (EB) President Mike Toner, when the submarine was "rolled out" from EB's construction hall, it was six years to the day since the last submarine was rolled out. Also, Virginia is the first submarine to be built through a collaboration of General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton and Northrop Grumman Newport News in Virginia.

"The (designing) process would not just include the engineers and designers, but also the shipbuilders, the vendors, the suppliers and the operators," said Toner. "Everybody who came to touch the ship throughout its life would have a say into how it was to be designed."

Rep. Edward Schrock of Virginia said the partnership between the two companies will only benefit the Navy and the country.

"The partnership between the folks at Northrop Grumman Newport News and General Dynamics is one that received great reviews, and one that has brought our communities together to build a new class of submarines," said Schrock. "That relationship will strengthen our nation's Navy and its ability to defend our nation, and protect our interests and sovereignty around the world."

Virginia is the ninth ship to bear the "Virginia" name. Six previous Virginias served in the U.S. Navy and two more served in the Confederate States Navy. This Virginia is far different from those ships, and despite its resemblance to a Los Angeles or Seawolf-class submarine, it is far different from other submarines, as well.

Virginia is lighter than the Seawolf-class submarines. It is also longer by 24 feet and has a beam six-feet less than its predecessor. Virginia has a payload of 40 weapons, and can accommodate special operations forces, an Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) and unmanned undersea vehicles. Virginia and its 132-member crew can launch Tomahawk land-attack missiles from 12 vertical launch system tubes and Mark 48 advanced capability torpedoes from four 21-inch torpedo tubes.

"Its capabilities are so flexible and multifaceted...everything from deploying special forces, to long-term surveillance and launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, to detecting mines," said Sen. George Allen of Virginia.

"You think of every problem and challenge we're going to be facing now and into the future, and this (ship) can assist in a very important and powerful way in protecting our (nation's) security. It does have the best technology, the best communications and the greatest capabilities," said Allen. "This (sub) is the first in a long line of them. And we can't just have one Virginia-class submarine - we're going to need dozens more."

Vice Adm. John J. Grossenbacher, commander, Naval Submarine Forces, echoed Allen's statement about needing more Virginia-class submarines.

"Now Virginia should be followed by Texas (SSN 775) in a year and others following at a rate of about one a year. That's good, but it's not good enough," said Grossenbacher. "We're on the right course, but not the right speed. In order to have enough submarines to support our country's future security, we need to build two Virginia-class attack submarines per year."

Grossenbacher said the $2 billion price tag on Virginia-class submarines may be a factor for their slower-than-desired build rate.

"In my opinion, if you want the highest performance, the most advanced, the most reliable submarine in the world, and we do, it will never be cheap," said Grossenbacher. "Speaking for our country's undersea warriors, the bottom line is that we think Virginia is worth every single penny of the taxpayers' dollars. We need her and her sister submarines, and we need them delivered faster than we are buying them today."

The Virginia-class submarines' value to the nation should continue well into the future due to her advanced capabilities.

"This submarine is superbly fitted for the world we live in and for the foreseeable future. Virginia is designed for undersea, surface and near-surface dominance across a broad spectrum of missions. With the focus on the littoral battle space, the Virginia has improved magnetic stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and unique special warfare enhancements," Grossenbacher said.

While many compliments were delivered to Virginia's designers, builders and visionaries, a few speakers had kind words for the crew.

"A submarine is the most complicated machine ever devised by mankind, and this submarine here today is the best of the best. But without the skill and dedication of our Navy crews and without the loyalty of our Navy families, the ship cannot perform its mission," said Rep. Rob Simmons of Connecticut.

Robb said for her, being the sponsor of Virginia meant starting a new relationship.

"It's a bonding with the sponsor and with the crew of the Virginia," said Robb. "For me, it is the starting of a new family with all of those crew members and all of their families. God bless them and may He protect them wherever they may sail."

Right now, Virginia is 91 percent complete and has about 40 weeks before it can be delivered to the Navy. According to Tom Schievelbein, corporate vice president of Northrop Grumman and president of Northrop Grumman Newport News, Virginia has been making history for a long time.

"This submarine was making history long before the first pieces of steel were welded together. This success speaks for the skill, the commitment and the dedication of the engineers, designers and shipbuilders," said Schievelbein. "Good shipbuilding takes people who are the best at their craft, who learn from each other and who are not satisfied with 'second best.' These are the kind of people who have built Virginia. They are the pioneers - they are the trailblazers of the 21st century...they like to push the envelope of possibility. Their work results in the most technologically advanced ship ever to sail under the seas. Their work will help the United States Navy with critical peacekeeping and wartime capabilities in this very uncertain world."

And as other submarines return from their mission of power projection and force from the sea, the christening ceremony showcased the Navy's and country's commitment to ensuring freedom.

"Today we are united to celebrate this great ship," said Sen. Jack Reed from Rhode Island. "But throughout the years, we have been united by something more profound - the understanding that it is our task to mesh the courage and skill of our magnificent Sailors by providing them with the greatest submarines in the world."