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 .
Any old timer Freepers care to explain why we used that paint scheme in WW2?
If not I will explain in brief, it was to break up from a distance the overall dimension of a ship, its heading and even speed to confuse torpedo attacks. Back then a lot was done by the Mark One optical sights.
Throw in some red beans, rice, sausage and sweet tea and nothing will touch her!
Wow! Simply dazzling. ;-)
The bad news is that there will be another USS Missouri. The good news is that it means I may gain momentum for my fight to the have second CVX named “Enterprise”.
Now you done had two carriers named Enterprise LOL http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/carriers/histories/cv06-enterprise/cv06-enterprise.html Give us other ex-squids still in the single name a chance at it :>}
No CVN-65 is scheduled to be mothballed when the first CVX comes online. Consequently the second CVX should be named Enterprise.
and do not forget there was a CV-6 during WW2 named Enterprise. That is why the tradition must be continued.
Have they corrected the design flaw in SSN California? You know, the one where it could only turn to the left? /grin
That was late Cold War, and it was only for two sub classes - the Ohio class for the SSBNs and the Los Angeles class for SSNs.
Why I am Voting for McCain
John Sidney McCain III
August 29, 1936 – present
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy (Naval aviation)
Years of service 1958–1981
Rank Captain
Unit USS Forrestal (CV-59)
USS Oriskany (CV-34)
Battles/wars Vietnam
Awards Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Other work Naval liaison to the United States Senate, United States Senator from Arizona, Presidential candidate
On May 24, 1999, McCain shared the Profile in Courage Award with fellow Senator Russ Feingold for their work in trying to enact campaign finance reform.[102]
In December 2004, McCain became an Honorary Patron of the University Philosophical Society at Trinity College Dublin.[240]
On September 28, 2005, The Eisenhower Institute awarded McCain the Eisenhower Leadership Prize.[241] The prize recognizes individuals whose lifetime accomplishments reflect Dwight D. Eisenhower’s legacy of integrity and leadership.
On December 5, 2006, McCain was awarded the Henry M. Jackson Distinguished Service Award by the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs.[242]
On February 13, 2007, the World Leadership Forum presented McCain with the Policymaker of the Year Award. The award is given internationally to someone who has “created, inspired or strongly influenced important policy or legislation
Not sure why you sent your reasons for loving McCain to me. I think he is a crazy a$$ traitor. He is no conservative, just a republican.
Nah, CVN-80 will be the Clinton. What better way to get funding for an additional carrier than slip one in before him? Given Democratic congress and, maybe, Democratic president I'm betting CVN-79 will be named after JFK or FDR.
I'm partial to USS AMERICA myself :>} By rights the CVN-78 class was owed to her as she was sank for the needed data to build it.
I'm afraid there will be a CVN Clinton as you say. The origional CV FDR went OOC in 1975 I think thereabouts. We got some parts off her. And JFK is gone now also. I think we need to go back to tradition in naming.
Well of course there will. After naming carriers after Bush, senior and Gerald Ford do you think the Dems aren't going to demand equal time? A CVN has become the going away present for mediocre presidents.
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