NEWPORT NEWS HOSTS KEEL-LAYING CEREMONY FOR VIRGINIA-CLASS SUBMARINE WASHINGTON (SSN 787)
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Newport News Shipbuilding held a keel-laying ceremony for a new Virginia class submarine, the future USS Washington (SSN 787), on November 22. Washington is the 14th submarine in the class, and the seventh to be delivered by Newport News. Construction of the sub actually began in 2011, when the Navy shifted from procuring one submarine per year to procuring two. Construction is around 70 percent complete, and should be finished in summer 2015. The submarines are built by Newport News and Electric Boat.
The Navy originally planned to maintain a one-per-year procurement rate through FY11, but the service had become concerned about a potential submarine shortfall in future inventories. Even with this change, the Navy will still be unable to meet its long-term requirement to maintain a fleet of at least 48 attack submarines. The service's FY15 shipbuilding plan shows the force falling below 48 SSNs in FY25, reaching a low of 41 boats between FY28 and FY30. The force would remain below 48 subs through FY34.
Washington represents the fourth of eight submarines being built under the Block III multiyear contract. Earlier this year, the Navy awarded 17 billion a $17.6 billion contract for the 10 subs being bought between FY14 and FY18. The contract contains options for onboard repair parts that would increase its value to $17.8 billion. The agreement covers hull numbers SSN 792 through SSN 801. Construction of SSN 792 began in May 2014. Each shipyard will deliver one sub per year, with the final sub scheduled for delivery in 2023. The Navy has warned that it may have to reduce the build rate of future blocks to help pay for the SSBN(X) ballistic missile submarine.
Source: Huntington Ingalls
Associated URL:
http://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/releases/washington-keel
Author: S. McDougall, North America Analyst
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