Navy to Commission Attack Submarine Texas

Navy Newsstand ^ | 8/25/2006 10:00:00 AM | U.S. Department of Defense

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will commission the USS Texas, second ship of the Virginia attack submarine class, Sept. 9, during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony at the Port of Galveston piers in Galveston, Texas.

As the Navy's next-generation attack submarine, the Virginia-class submarine is the first class specifically designed to counter post-Cold War threats, providing the Navy with the capabilities required for safeguarding the nation’s interests in the 21st century.

Texas has improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that enable it to meet the Navy's multimission requirements. With a modular design, Texas along with its other sister submarines of the Virginia class, will be able to accommodate technology upgrades throughout its life.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Laura Bush, first lady of the United States, serves as the ship’s sponsor. In the time-honored tradition of commissioning U.S. naval ships, she has been invited to give the order to “man our ship and bring her to life!”

This is the fourth ship of the Navy to carry the name Texas since the original ship was commissioned in 1895. The second USS Texas (BB 35) was a battleship, which took part in both World Wars. The most recent ship named Texas was a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser (CGN 39), which was decommissioned in 1977.

Texas can attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters and other sea forces. Texas also has superior anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare capabilities, is able to provide special forces delivery and support, and can conduct mine delivery and minefield mapping. With enhanced communications connectivity, Texas will also provide important joint task force support and full integration into strike and expeditionary group operations.

Capt. John Litherland, a 1982 graduate of the University of Washington in Seattle, will become the first commanding officer of the ship, leading a crew of approximately 134 officers and enlisted sailors. Texas will be homeported in Groton, Conn., as a unit of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

Texas is 377 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 34 feet, a navigational draft of 32 feet, displaces approximately 7,800 tons submerged, can dive to depths greater than 800 feet, and can sustain speeds of more than 25 knots when submerged.

The ship is also designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship – reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.

The superior capabilities of Texas and other Virginia-class submarines will help ensure the Navy maintains undersea dominance well into the 21st century.

For more information regarding the commissioning ceremony, please contact the commander, Submarine Force Atlantic Public Affairs Office (757) 836-1650. For more information about Virginia class submarines, visit www.subforce.navy.mil/html/texas775.html.

For more Department of Defense news, visit www.defenselink.mil.

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

060822-N-8655E-001 Norfolk, Va. (Aug. 22, 2006) – Sailors stationed aboard the Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) Texas (SSN 775) stands topside as she gets underway from Naval Station Norfolk. Texas is the second Virginia-class submarine built and the first major U.S. Navy combatant vessel class designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind. Texas will be commissioned Sept 9, 2006. The ceremony is scheduled to take place in Galveston, Texas. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kelvin Edwards (RELEASED)

[benjamin032]

PING!

[LasVegasMac]

the first major U.S. Navy combatant vessel class designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind.

What exactly does that mean?

Besides the addition of the mandatory, custom BBQ setup.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

They said that to save it from budget cuts.

[MARKUSPRIME]

The USS Hawaii is almost done as well. This will be the 3rd virginia class to join our fleet submarines composed of seawolves,688i improved los angleles class,and of coarse our boomers aka Ohio class. Godspeed navy,you keep us safe.

[BillaryBeGone]

We're planning on attending (I'm looking at the tickets leaned up against my monitor!) - barring interference from Ernesto. And we're thrilled to know Mrs. Bush may be there!

Any one heard what the ship's motto will be? DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!

[MARKUSPRIME]

angleles=angeles

Bloody typos...

[shankbear]

Please photoshop a gun rack on the conning tower.

[mkjessup]

The ship is also designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship

That alone is impressive, how does this new reactor differ from older systems requiring periodic refueling?

[stm]

Better them than me, I get cabin fever!

[Sam Cree]

"Texas is 377 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 34 feet, a navigational draft of 32 feet, displaces approximately 7,800 tons..."

She is getting a little beyond being called a "boat."

Is she single screw, does anyone know?

[GAB-1955]

The Virginia Class is designed to get up and personal in littoral waters. It's a brown water hunter-killer.

[PokeyJoe]

I bet they serve BBQ instead of steak/lobster during Sunday chow in this pig boat. (Beef Brisket of course --- let the Tennessee serve BBQ Pig Sandwiches with cole slaw) =)

[llevrok]

What exactly does that mean?

Ability to infiltrate shallow waters, a better launch platform for SEALs, capable to "hover" on station for months (if need be) undetected.

In other-words - deadly and stealthy as heck against terrorists and third world bozos.

[llevrok]

She is getting a little beyond being called a "boat."

Subs are boats (for some reason known only to those who like to get into bar arguments frequently about boats and ships).

[MARKUSPRIME]

And china and russia. These subs are built to rape the soviet and chinese built subs.

[llevrok]

from the UK National Maritime Museum web site:

Definition of a boat

The Historic Ships Committee have designated a vessel below 40 tons and 40 feet in length as a boat. However, submarines and fishing vessels are always known as boats whatever their size.

[Sam Cree]

Yeah, I knew they were...I was looking at a picture of the WWII sub, the "Wahoo," found recently. The word boat seems fit enough for her, but these days the things are apparently really getting huge.

American WWII sub:

[tall_tex]

Brings a whole new meaning to "Don't Mess With Texas".

[LasVegasMac]

I bet they serve BBQ instead of steak/lobster during Sunday chow in this pig boat. (Beef Brisket of course --- let the Tennessee serve BBQ Pig Sandwiches with cole slaw) =)

Did you see my #3 ?

lol