HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division has announced a significant achievement in the construction of the US Navy’s 29th Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, marking the vessel as having attained its “pressure hull complete” status. This milestone signifies the successful integration of the submarine’s various hull sections into a cohesive structure, setting the stage for further integration, outfitting, and subsequent field tests prior to commissioning.
This achievement is part of a broader initiative by the Pentagon, initiated in the early 2000s, to modernize the submarine fleet. These efforts aim to replace the aging Seawolf-class submarines that have been in operation since the 1980s. The Department of Defense has laid out plans to construct a total of 43 Virginia-class submarines, of which 25 have already been delivered, and 24 have been activated since the program began.
HII collaborates with General Dynamics Electric Boat in Connecticut to facilitate the production of these submarines, with Newport News Shipbuilding playing a critical role in the fabrication process.
The newest vessel, named the USS Oklahoma (SSN 802), is the 14th Virginia submarine delivered under HII’s supervision. This particular submarine is notable for being the first to incorporate the Block V upgrade, which features substantial enhancements to the ship’s payload module, strike capacity, and overall design.
The sponsorship of the USS Oklahoma is held by Mary Slavonic, an Oklahoma native who has actively supported both the state’s objectives and those of the US Navy. Among her notable contributions is her assistance to former acting Undersecretary of the Navy Greg Slavonic in developing a memorial in Hawaii that honors the sailors who perished aboard the earlier USS Oklahoma (BB 37), a Nevada-class battleship commissioned in 1916. This memorial pays tribute to over 400 sailors and marines who lost their lives during the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
Jason Ward, vice president of new construction submarine programs for Newport News Shipbuilding, commented on the accomplishment, stating, “Achieving pressure hull complete on Oklahoma highlights our commitment to accelerating production and delivering unmatched capability to our Navy customer.” He also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the dedicated shipbuilders, Navy teammates, and suppliers from across the country who are working closely together to bring the USS Oklahoma to fruition.
