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SECNAV Names Three New Virginia Class Attack Submarines
Navy Newsstand ^ | 1/31/2008 8:14:00 AM | staff

Posted on 02/02/2008 7:12:33 AM PST by Excuse_My_Bellicosity

Story Number: NNS080131-05

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Donald C. Winter announced Jan. 30 the names of three Virginia class submarines -- the Missouri, California and Mississippi.

The selection of Missouri honors the continuous support of the military by the people of the "Show Me State," and its leaders. Designated SSN 780, Missouri is the fifth ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the U.S. state.

The last Missouri (BB 63), a U.S. Navy battleship, saw action in World War II, Korean War and the 1991 Gulf War. Missouri was also the site where Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz and Gen. Douglas MacArthur, and many other U.S. and Allied officers, accepted the unconditional surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War II on Sept. 2, 1945.

The selection of California, designated SSN 781, honors the thousands of men and women from California who serve in today's armed forces, and the millions of Californian veterans and their families. As home to major Naval and Marine Corps installations, the selection of California also reflects the tremendous support provided to the Navy and Marine Corps by countless communities across the Golden State. This will be the seventh ship to bear the name California.

The selection of Mississippi, designated SSN 782, is dedicated to the state's long standing tradition of shipbuilding in support of our nation's defense. It also honors the indomitable spirit of the people of Mississippi who have made great strides in recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. This fighting spirit will be an inspiration to all sailors who embark aboard Mississippi.

There have been four previous ships named Mississippi. The first Mississippi, a side wheeler, served as Commodore Matthew Perry's flagship for his historic voyage to Japan and fought with Admiral Farragut's forces on the Mississippi River during the Civil War.

These next-generation attack submarines will provide the Navy with the capabilities it requires to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. They will have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that will enable it to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.

Missouri, California and Mississippi will be able to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces.

Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; Special Forces delivery and support; mine delivery and minefield mapping. With enhanced communications connectivity, the submarines also will provide important battle group and joint task force support, with full integration into carrier battle group operations.

The Virginia class is 7,800-tons and 377 feet in length, has a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. It is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship – reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.

These new, nuclear powered submarines are being built by General Dynamics Electric Boat (Connecticut) and Northrop Grumman Newport News (Virginia).

For more information on Virginia class submarines, visit http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4100&tid=100&ct=4 .


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; US: California; US: Mississippi; US: Missouri; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: newportnews; submarines; usn; virginiaclass
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To: KarlInOhio

Add a “prominent poop deck”


21 posted on 02/02/2008 8:31:34 AM PST by DarthVader (Liberal Democrats are the party of EVIL whose time of judgement has come.)
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To: Excuse_My_Bellicosity
"and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged."

Award for the "Slight Understatement of the Year" award.
22 posted on 02/02/2008 8:52:17 AM PST by Sudetenland (Mike Huckabee=Bill Clinton. Can we afford another Clinton in the White House...from either party?)
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To: Sudetenland

...he said in his redundant fashion...


23 posted on 02/02/2008 8:53:10 AM PST by Sudetenland (Mike Huckabee=Bill Clinton. Can we afford another Clinton in the White House...from either party?)
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To: DarthVader

The Los Angeles class ruled the day when I was in and the Sea Wolf was just being developed. I was wondering how the Virginia class compared.


24 posted on 02/02/2008 9:26:37 AM PST by L98Fiero (A fool who'll waste his life, God rest his guts.)
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To: L98Fiero

We need to increase the production of attack subs to head off the threat of China,Russia and others. We also need to build some diesel/electric subs to use for training and export to friendly powers.


25 posted on 02/02/2008 9:51:41 AM PST by Oldexpat
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To: ARE SOLE
Can you imagine CV Hillary Clinton??

It will happen or rather rather uss william clinton cvn-79. The next class carrier CVN-78 is named after our unelected POTUS Ford. That was at the insistance of Senator Sleepy John Warner. I do know one thing for certain though. In today's Global Politically Correct atmosphere in DC there will never be another ship named after our nation USS AMERICA.

26 posted on 02/02/2008 10:12:21 AM PST by cva66snipe (Proud Partisan Constitution Supporting Conservative to which I make no apologies for nor back down)
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To: Excuse_My_Bellicosity

Cool.

I wonder if the California’s Berkley will have gold plated fixtures? ;^)


27 posted on 02/02/2008 10:17:45 AM PST by brityank (The more I learn about the Constitution, the more I realise this Government is UNconstitutional !!)
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To: Chode

Weird paintjob. I’m assuming they did that so that it’s hard to see what angle you’re looking at it(???).


28 posted on 02/02/2008 3:25:50 PM PST by Excuse_My_Bellicosity (...and forgive us our farts, as we forgive those that fart against us...)
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To: ARE SOLE

I’d rather be a sailor aboard the USS Turdbox.


29 posted on 02/02/2008 3:26:36 PM PST by Excuse_My_Bellicosity (...and forgive us our farts, as we forgive those that fart against us...)
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To: Little_shoe
I guess the SECNAV doesnt care about the “Cold War Naming Convention” for Subs.... SSBN’s for States and SSN’s for cities.

It is a departure but it is much better than CVN's for still breathing or barely cold politicians.

30 posted on 02/02/2008 3:43:45 PM PST by Polybius
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To: Excuse_My_Bellicosity
Image hosted by Photobucket.com iirc i believe it was called Dazzle...
31 posted on 02/02/2008 4:48:45 PM PST by Chode (American Hedonist ©®)
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To: Polybius

yeah were as the “traditional” carrier names have been give to all the LHAs and LHDs.


32 posted on 02/02/2008 8:56:18 PM PST by Little_shoe ("For Sailor MEN in Battle fair since fighting days of old have earned the right.to the blue and gold)
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To: Doohickey; SmithL
{{{ping}}}
33 posted on 02/02/2008 9:01:23 PM PST by BIGLOOK (Keelhaul politicians. The Ship of State needs a good scrubbing!)
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To: BIGLOOK

I notice they’re still putting the towed array fairing on the wrong side. :)


34 posted on 02/02/2008 9:12:33 PM PST by Doohickey (Giuliani: Brokeback Republican)
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To: Doohickey
Hey...don't expect a lot from engineers. Work it!

(Same on aircraft.)
35 posted on 02/02/2008 9:17:06 PM PST by BIGLOOK (Keelhaul politicians. The Ship of State needs a good scrubbing!)
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To: Excuse_My_Bellicosity
I'm not sure I'm all that hot on having a submarine named "Missouri".

I'd rather have the name (and, actually, the names of the other three Iowas) held for whatever ship is going to mount those nifty railguns the Navy is developing.
36 posted on 02/02/2008 9:36:40 PM PST by tanknetter
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To: mwyounce; Excuse_My_Bellicosity
Way cool!

"It also honors the indomitable spirit of the people of Mississippi who have made great strides in recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina."


My homies!
I'm so proud of them.

Didn't see a listing for the USS New Orleans, though. ;o)

Just a joke, my FRiends from the Big Easy.
Y'all know I luv ya'.

37 posted on 02/02/2008 9:38:58 PM PST by dixiechick2000 (There ought to be one day-- just one-- when there is open season on senators. ~~ Will Rogers)
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To: stboz

More likely turnip greens, black-eyed peas, pepper sauce, and cornbread. ;o)


38 posted on 02/02/2008 9:40:41 PM PST by dixiechick2000 (There ought to be one day-- just one-- when there is open season on senators. ~~ Will Rogers)
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To: KarlInOhio
"Wide beam, heavy keel and lists to port."


LOL!

That was excellent. ;o)

39 posted on 02/02/2008 9:42:09 PM PST by dixiechick2000 (There ought to be one day-- just one-- when there is open season on senators. ~~ Will Rogers)
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To: DarthVader
"Add a “prominent poop deck”


BWAAAhahahahahaha!

I should have scrolled down further.
That was excellent, too.

40 posted on 02/02/2008 9:43:39 PM PST by dixiechick2000 (There ought to be one day-- just one-- when there is open season on senators. ~~ Will Rogers)
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