Northrop Grumman delivered the sixth Virginia class submarine, the USS New Mexico, to the US Navy yesterday, four months ahead of schedule. The construction of the submarine took 70 months, the shortest of any Virginia class sub.
Becky Stewart, VP for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding’s sub program, said “New Mexico’s delivery is a reflection of the commitment, dedication and hard work of the shipbuilders at Newport News, our Electric Boat partners and the Navy. We delivered her in record time, using one million fewer man-hours than her predecessor USS North Carolina (SSN 777). Our shipbuilders are focused on meeting safety, quality, cost and schedule commitments. The progress we’ve made in the Virginia-class submarine program demonstrates their personal ownership in building the finest submarines in the world.”
The Virginia class submarines are meant to serve multiple uses well into the 21st century, providing traditional submarine capabilities with capabilities more specific to the modern battlefield.
