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Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS100401-27
Release Date: 4/1/2010 3:21:00 PM
From Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- USS New Mexico (SSN 779) became the newest ship in the U.S. Navy March 27, following its commissioning ceremony at Norfolk Naval Station.
New Mexico is the sixth submarine of the Virginia-class, and the third delivered by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding.
"USS New Mexico joining the Fleet is a testament to the hard work, ingenuity, and dedication of our superb shipbuilding partners at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat," said Rear Adm. William Hilarides, program executive officer for submarines. "Our shipbuilding team continues to deliver these tremendous boats ahead of schedule, and on budget."
Virginia-class submarines are designed to dominate both littoral and deep waters, while conducting anti-submarine; anti-surface ship; strike; special operation forces; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions. Their inherent stealth, endurance, fire power, and sensor suite enable these submarines to directly support five of the six Maritime Strategy core capabilities: sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.
"The commissioning of USS New Mexico continues the program's record of bringing capability to the Fleet ahead of schedule. As the construction rate ramps up to two submarines per year starting in 2011, we begin to even more rapidly recapitalize the Navy's attack submarine force. It's critical to maintain the two-per-year rate in order to achieve the Navy's force structure requirements," said Capt. Michael Jabaley, Virginia-class program manager.
Last year marked a successful year for the Virginia-class program. Previous events included Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) California's (SSN 781) keel-laying ceremony May 1, 2009; USS Texas (SSN 775) completing the class' first Arctic Ocean testing November 2009; transfer of two submarines, USS Hawaii (SSN 776) and Texas, to their new homeport of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, July and November 2009 respectively; and PCU Missouri's (SSN 780) christening ceremony Dec. 5, 2009. New Mexico was delivered Dec. 29, 2009 ¯ four months early to contract delivery date.
The commissioning of USS New Mexico marks the first major submarine event of 2010. Upcoming events for the program include PCU Mississippi's (SSN 782) keel-laying ceremony in June 2010, and PCU Missouri's (SSN 780) delivery and commissioning in June and July 2010, respectively.
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