Submarine Minnesota Delivered on Budget and Ahead of Schedule
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that the company's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division delivered the submarine Minnesota (SSN 783) to the U.S. Navy. The boat, the last of the Block II Virginia-class submarines, delivered nearly 11 months ahead of schedule.
Construction of Minnesota began in February 2008, and the keel was authenticated in May 2011. The 10th Virginia-class submarine, named to honor residents of Minnesota and their continued support of the U.S. military, was christened Oct. 27, 2012. Minnesota's commissioning date has been scheduled by the Secretary of the Navy for Sept. 7.
NNS is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build Virginia-class submarines, which use advanced technologies to increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth. The 377-foot long submarines are capable of submerged speeds of more than 25 knots and can stay submerged for up to three months at a time.
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