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Submarine Hawaii Completes First Voyage

December 2, 2006
Contact: Robert A. Hamilton
Tel: (860) 433-8556
Email: rhamilton@gdeb.com

GROTON, Conn. – Hawaii (SSN-776), the nation’s newest and most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine, returned to the Electric Boat shipyard here today following the successful completion of its first voyage in open seas, called “alpha sea trials.” Hawaii is the third ship of the most capable class of attack submarines ever built; it will be delivered to the U.S. Navy by the end of the year. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

Hawaii’s alpha sea trials included a range of submarine and propulsion-plant operations, submerging for the first time, and high-speed runs on the surface and submerged, to demonstrate that the ship’s propulsion plant is fully mission-capable.

Virginia-class submarines have been designed from the ground up to operate as a key element of a fully networked naval force. Unobtrusive, non-provocative and connected with land, air, sea and space-based assets, Virginia-class ships are uniquely equipped to wage multi-dimensional warfare in the farthest reaches of the globe, providing the U.S. Navy with continued dominance in coastal waters or the open ocean. These submarines will transit submerged at high speeds, undetected, independent of sea state or logistic support and arrive on station ready for action.

“Designed specifically to incorporate emergent technologies that will provide new capabilities to meet new threats, Virginia-class submarines will make a unique and significant contribution to our nation’s security, and will be increasingly important in the decades ahead,” said Electric Boat President John Casey.

Virginia-class missions include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, ensuring that U.S. commanders understand the scope and capability of an enemy’s forces. Submarines of the class also will be able to engage enemy submarines, surface ships and critical targets ashore, both through precision strike and the covert insertion of special operations forces. With their stealth and unlimited endurance, they will be flexible assets for Joint Force Commanders, able to maneuver with impunity, even in the most contested forward areas.

Virginia-class submarines are the Navy’s first major combatant ships designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind. Approved nearly four years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Hawaii embodies warfighting and operational capabilities required to dominate the littorals while maintaining undersea dominance in the open ocean.

Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Newport News have received contracts to build the first 10 submarines of a planned 30-ship Virginia class under a teaming agreement that splits the construction workload between the two shipyards.

Participating in the sea trials were U.S. Navy Admiral Kirkland Donald, director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion; Rear Admiral Cecil Haney, commander, Submarine Group Two; and Rear Admiral William Hilarides, program executive officer (Submarines). Also participating in the sea trials were Capt. Christopher Pietras, the Navy’s supervisor of shipbuilding in Groton; John Casey, president of Electric Boat; and Christopher J. Miner, director of test engineering for Northrop Grumman Newport News. Hawaii is commanded by Cdr. David Solms.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 81,100 people worldwide and expects 2006 revenues of approximately $24 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. More information can be found online at www.generaldynamics.com.