Nichols Martin
Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding division has authenticated the keel of the 23rd Virginia-class attack submarine.
The New Jersey fast attack submarine, or SSN 796, underwent a keel authentication ceremony in Virginia, with Susan DiMarco, wife of former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, serving as ship sponsor, HII said Monday.
Rep. Donald Norcross, D-N.J., and Cmdr. Joseph Spinks, the vessel's commanding officer, were present during the ceremony.
The vessel entered construction in 2016 and is expected to be delivered in 2021.
