GROTON, Conn. (July 30, 2004) ñ PCU Virginia (SSN-774), the nationís newest and most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine and the lead ship of its class, returns to the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Conn., July 30, following the successful completion of its first voyage in open seas ñ called "alpha" sea trials. Virginia is the Navyís only major combatant ready to join the fleet that was designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind and embodies the warfighting and operational capabilities required to dominate the littorals while maintaining undersea dominance in the open ocean. ìNuclear submarines provide a unique contribution to our nationís security and will be increasingly important in the decades ahead,î said Electric Boat President John Casey. ìThe Virginia and the rest of the ships of its class are designed specifically to incorporate emergent technologies that will provide new capabilities to meet new threats.î Virginia will be delivered to the U.S. Navy this fall. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics.
(Photo courtesy of General Dynamics Electric Boat Public Affairs)
A new submarine will be called the USS Long Island, U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said Thursday.
“Long Islanders have stood up to the call of duty, whether it’s serving with George Washington, throughout all the many different conflicts of our nation’s history, World War I and World War II, and it’s to them, to their service, to their commitment,” said Del Toro,
The Long Island will be a Virginia-class attack submarine, a 377-foot-long nuclear-powered vessel, and will enter service in 2028.
