Naomi Cooper
HII‘s Newport News Shipbuilding division has laid the keel for the U.S. Navy’s 29th Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine.
The keel authentication commences the construction of the future USS Oklahoma (SSN 802), the first Virginia-class ship in Block V configuration and the 14th vessel to be delivered by NNS, HII said Wednesday.
Fast-attack submarines are employed to provide stealth surveillance of sea forces, littoral waters or ground targets and support mine delivery, minefield mapping, special forces delivery and anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare.
“The nuclear submarines we build help ensure our peace and freedoms, and we take great pride in being a nuclear shipyard,” said Jennifer Boykin, president of NNS.
NNS is one of two shipyards that design and manufacture nuclear-powered submarines for the Navy.
SSN 802 is the first submarine to be named after the state of Oklahoma.
