The Navy said recently that Huntington Ingalls Industries [HII] delivered the eighth Virginia-class submarine, PCU California (SSN-781) more than eight months earlier than the scheduled contract delivery date.
California, the first
Virginia-class submarine delivered under the HII-NNS banner, required only 65 months to build–five months less than the previous Virginia-class submarine, USS New Mexico (SSN 779), delivered by what was then Northrop Grumman [NOC] Shipbuilding, according to the Navy. Northrop Grumman later spun off its shipbuilding business to HII.
Before delivery, California passed a battery of at-sea tests including the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) Trials.
“California‘s successful run through each successive sea trial, and its early delivery, means the Navy will add another highly-capable, eagerly-anticipated Virginia-class submarine to the fleet to meet operational demands,” said Rear Adm. (sel) Michael Jabaley, Virginia-class program manager. “California, along with her sister ships, will provide unmatched capabilities to the fleet while honoring the proud traditions of her namesake state.”
The Navy added that California’s commissioning on Oct. 29 in Norfolk, Va., is the second-to-last major acquisition milestone for the Virginia-class program in 2011. The christening ceremony for PCU Mississippi (SSN-782) is in December, in Groton, Conn.