Dominique Stump
The Virginia-class attack submarine Illinois has completed its first voyage into open seas and has returned to a shipyard run by General Dynamics‘ Electric Boat subsidiary.
General Dynamics said Monday the nuclear-powered submarine submerged for the first time and underwent a number of submarine and propulsion-plant operations and high-speed runs on and below the surface to test its propulsion plant mission functions during the alpha sea trial.
The test was directed by U.S. Navy Adm. James Caldwell, Naval Nuclear Propulsion director; and included participation from Capt. Jeffrey Heydon, supervisor of shipbuilding in Groton, and Electric Boat President Jeffrey Geiger.
Commander Jesse Porter commanded the 7,835-ton and 377-foot-long submarine.
Illinois is the 13th Virginia-class submarine constructed by Electric Boat with 15 more contracted for delivery.
Virginia-class submarines are equipped with Mark 48 torpedoes and Tomahawk land-attack missiles and are designed to dive below water at least 800 feet.
