Asia Defense

US Shipbuilder Launches New Virginia-Class Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine

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Asia Defense

US Shipbuilder Launches New Virginia-Class Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine

The U.S. Navy’s latest nuclear-powered attack submarine was launched on December 17.

US Shipbuilder Launches New Virginia-Class Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine
Credit: Huntington Ingalls Industries

U.S. ship maker Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) launched the latest 7,800-ton Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), the future USS Delaware (SSN-791), into the water for the first time at the company’s Newport News shipyard on December 17.

The entire launching process took three days and involved moving the future USS Delaware out of a construction facility and into a floating dry dock using a transfer car system. The floating dry dock was submerged, and the sub was launched into the water. Once afloat, the submarine was then moved to the shipyard’s submarine pier for final outfitting, testing, and crew certification, according to a HII statement.

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