Shipyard Efficiencies - Submarine Construction
Chuck Bunton
January 5, 2010
Northrop Grumman delivered PCU New Mexico to the Navy 4 months early.The Navy took delivery of its newest attack submarine, PCU New Mexico (SSN 779), from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB) Dec. 29, four months earlier than its contract delivery date. New Mexico is the sixth Virginia-class submarine and the third delivered by NGSB. USS North Carolina (SSN 777) and USS New Hampshire (SSN 778), the two submarines delivered prior to New Mexico, were completed after 82 and 71 months, respectively. New Mexico completed construction in just 70 months. New Mexico's delivery in 2009 wraps up a successful year for the Virginia-class program.