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North Carolina Completes Hull

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060918-19
Release Date: 9/18/2006 3:14:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Charles A. Ordoqui, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors from the Virginia-class submarine PCU North Carolina (SSN 777) reached a significant milestone in their command’s history after the final hull welds were completed, Aug. 31, marking the last major milestone before the sub is christened next year.

“It’s a fascinating feeling to have reached this milestone,” said Cmdr. Edward Herrington, commanding officer of North Carolina. “We started with just an engine and other parts and now we have a completed hull, so it feels great.”

Northrop Grumman has reached 76 percent completion of North Carolina while using lessons learned from the previous three submarines in its class.

More than 1,000 Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics Electric Boat employees currently building the ship signed a special banner to commemorate the occasion.

“It’s great that we can do something as simple as signing our names on a large piece of paper,” said Tom Cullen, Northrop Grumman’s programs director for the Virginia-class submarines. “It really means a lot to have something to celebrate our accomplishments here, and it’s awesome to have it because it says we’re a part of something.”

The keel for North Carolina was laid May 22, 2004, and is expected to be delivered to the fleet in February 2008.

“Our ship started from nothing, just a few pieces and parts and now it’s almost complete,” said Command Master Chief (SS)William G. Jones, North Carolina’s chief of the boat. “This is really exciting, and I can’t wait until we get it in the water and out to sea.”

The 377-foot long submarine is capable of submerged speeds of more than 25 knots and can stay submerged for months at time.

“It’s an honor to be a part of this precommissioning command,” said Machinist's Mate 3rd Class David H. Reich. “I’m just really excited to get out of the yards and into the water.”

The Virginia-class submarines are designed to be the most modern and sophisticated attack submarines in the world, providing undersea supremacy well into the 21st century.