The future USS Indiana (SSN-789) a Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine was launched into the James River at Huntington Ingalls Industries [HII] Newport News Shipbuilding facility, the company said Friday.
As part of the launching process, HII moved the submarine out of the construction facility into a floating dry dock using a transfer car system. The dry dock was submerged and the Indiana was launched into the river. The submarine was then moved to the shipyard’s submarine pier for final outfitting, testing, and crew certification.
The Indiana is the 16th Virginia-class submarine and HII noted the eighth to be delivered to the Navy by Newport News. Construction began in September 2012. The vessel was built as part of a teaming agreement between HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia and General Dynamics’ [GD] subsidiary, GD Electric Boat.
“Over the next several months, we will work closely with the Indiana crew to bring this great ship to life,” Matt Needy, Newport News’ vice president of submarines and fleet support, said in a statement.
Needy said that because of the Navy’s increase in SSN force structure requirements from 48 to 66 submarines, “shipbuilders here at Newport News and at our teaming partner, Electric Boat, understand the importance of getting these highly valued ships delivered and ready for mission-tasking by our Navy leadership.”
The latest Navy Force Structure Assessment calls for 18 more attack submarines over the current 48 (Defense Daily, Dec. 16, 2016) and the Chief of Naval Operations’ Future Navy vision paper agreed with the overall fleet increase (Defense Daily, May 17).