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New Submarine Minnesota Shifts Homeport to Groton

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS140110-17
Release Date: 1/10/2014 1:51:00 PM

From Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn (NNS) -- Virginia-class attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783) completed a two-day transit Jan. 10 from Norfolk, Va., to its new permanent homeport at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn.

Minnesota was built in Virginia under a teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. Construction began in February 2008, and the building team delivered the submarine in just over five years last June, 11 months ahead of schedule.

The Navy commissioned the 10th Virginia-class attack submarine at Naval Station Norfolk in September.

In October, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced that female officers will report to Minnesota by early 2015 as part of the fleet's first effort to integrate women on attack submarines.

Female officers joined Ohio-class submarine crews in 2011.

The women reporting to Minnesota will consist of two nuclear-trained officers and a seasoned supply lieutenant who will serve as their mentor.

Minnesota is equipped to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters and other sea-based forces.

Minnesota can also perform anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; deliver and support special forces; and conduct mine delivery and minefield mapping operations.

More than 130 Sailors operate the 377-foot-long vessel, which is capable of diving to depths greater than 800 feet and operating at speeds in excess of 25 knots when submerged.

The submarine will soon begin a post-shakedown availability at Electric Boat for scheduled maintenance, repairs, alterations and testing.

Minnesota joins 15 Virginia- and Los Angeles-class attack submarines already homeported in Groton. Crewmembers and their families will reside in the southeastern Connecticut area - home to nearly 10,000 Navy Sailors and civilian personnel.