SECNAV Names Three New Virginia Class Attack Submarines

Navy Newsstand ^ | 1/31/2008 8:14:00 AM | staff

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Story Number: NNS080131-05

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Donald C. Winter announced Jan. 30 the names of three Virginia class submarines -- the Missouri, California and Mississippi.

The selection of Missouri honors the continuous support of the military by the people of the "Show Me State," and its leaders. Designated SSN 780, Missouri is the fifth ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the U.S. state.

The last Missouri (BB 63), a U.S. Navy battleship, saw action in World War II, Korean War and the 1991 Gulf War. Missouri was also the site where Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz and Gen. Douglas MacArthur, and many other U.S. and Allied officers, accepted the unconditional surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War II on Sept. 2, 1945.

The selection of California, designated SSN 781, honors the thousands of men and women from California who serve in today's armed forces, and the millions of Californian veterans and their families. As home to major Naval and Marine Corps installations, the selection of California also reflects the tremendous support provided to the Navy and Marine Corps by countless communities across the Golden State. This will be the seventh ship to bear the name California.

The selection of Mississippi, designated SSN 782, is dedicated to the state's long standing tradition of shipbuilding in support of our nation's defense. It also honors the indomitable spirit of the people of Mississippi who have made great strides in recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. This fighting spirit will be an inspiration to all sailors who embark aboard Mississippi.

There have been four previous ships named Mississippi. The first Mississippi, a side wheeler, served as Commodore Matthew Perry's flagship for his historic voyage to Japan and fought with Admiral Farragut's forces on the Mississippi River during the Civil War.

These next-generation attack submarines will provide the Navy with the capabilities it requires to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. They will have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that will enable it to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.

Missouri, California and Mississippi will be able to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces.

Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; Special Forces delivery and support; mine delivery and minefield mapping. With enhanced communications connectivity, the submarines also will provide important battle group and joint task force support, with full integration into carrier battle group operations.

The Virginia class is 7,800-tons and 377 feet in length, has a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. It is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship – reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.

These new, nuclear powered submarines are being built by General Dynamics Electric Boat (Connecticut) and Northrop Grumman Newport News (Virginia).

For more information on Virginia class submarines, visit http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4100&tid=100&ct=4 .

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

061010-O-0000X-004 NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Oct. 10, 2006) – Shipyard personnel work to build Virginia-class submarine North Carolina (SSN 777) while the boat is under contruction in Newport News. North Carolina is the fourth Virginia-class submarine built and the first major U.S. Navy combatant vessel class designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind. North Carolina is scheduled to be commissioned in December 2007. Photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman (RELEASED)

[mwyounce]

USS Mississippi ping!

[stboz]

Will she run on catfish and hushpuppies? (Don’t forget the Tony’s!)

[Little_shoe]

I guess the SECNAV doesnt care about the “Cold War Naming Convention” for Subs.... SSBN’s for States and SSN’s for cities.

[L98Fiero]

Cool! I actually worked for a fast attack sub while in the Navy. The USS Archerfish (SSN 678), a Sturgeon class. She’s razorblades now, I think. USS Mississippi in the sub fleet. Awesome.

[ARE SOLE]

Can you imagine CV Hillary Clinton??

[ARE SOLE]

CVN 76 ... oops

[Lancer_N3502A]

I agree, it doesn’t jive with the naming system that’s been in use for over a century.

[Chode]

and no mention of...

[InABunkerUnderSF]

Right. Then instead of “California” they could have named in the “Berkeley”.

Not that the city deserves to have a great ship named after it but there would be two good things about it. First, a lot of our nuclear technology owes its genesis to Etchevery Hall on the UC Berkeley campus. Second, the reds who run the place would totally freak.

[Islander7]

--

USS MISSISSIPPI, third ship of the four ship VIRGINIA Class nuclear-powered, guided missile cruisers, was commissioned on 5 August 1978 at Norfolk Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia. Former President Jimmy Carter presided over the ceremonies.

Over the next three years, MISSISSIPPI performed tests and trials, which every new ship goes through. During this time, the ship also went through its first extended training period at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

In August of 1981, MISSISSIPPI made her first deployment. MISSISSIPPI was escorting USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) when F-14 fighters from that carrier shot down two Libyan fighter jets. MISSISSIPPI was also called upon during that deployment to patrol off the shore of Egypt after President Anwar Sadat was assassinated.

In 1982, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, awarded MISSISSIPPI the prestigious Battenberg Cup Award for being the best all-round ship in the Atlantic Fleet. The same year, MISSISSIPPI earned the "Battle Efficiency" Award.

In 1983, MISSISSIPPI received COMSIXTHFLT Battle Force "Top Hand" Award, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, her fourth consecutive excellent in the annual Operation Reactors Safeguards Examination, the Top Hammer Award for top performance in Atlantic Fleet exercise operations, the Old Crow Award for excellence and contributions in electronic warfare, and her second consecutive "Battle Efficiency" Award.

In November, the USS MISSISSIPPI departed Norfolk for her second Med Cruise. Thanksgiving that year was celebrated while underway to the Med. Once on station, the ship supported Libyan Freedom of Navigation operations several times, spent Christmas of 1983 on patrol off Beirut in support of the USMC element deployed to the Beirut Airport. The MISSISSIPPI was on the Gun Line off Beirut when the US Embassy to Lebanon was attacked with a terrorist's car bomb. The cruiser subsequently provided NGFS target identification and location support to the Marines stationed at the Beirut Airport, and became the only CGN ever to win the "Hook-Em" award for ASW excellence for tacking a Juliette Class soviet Submarine literally halfway across the Med. The crew of MISSISSIPPI maintained contact on the submarine for over 48 hours straight. The cruiser returned to Norfolk in late May of 1984.

In 1985, MISSISSIPPI earned her third consecutive "Battle Efficiency" Award. This same year, she also received a second Meritorious Unit Commendation for Operation SNAP LOCK.

In 1986, MISSISSIPPI was awarded the Golden Anchor Award for Navy Personnel Retention.

In 1987, MISSISSIPPI received the Silver Star as the runner-up for the Golden Anchor Award.

In September 1987, MISSISSIPPI completed her first overhaul, which included the latest improvements in her Combat Systems Suite, which greatly improved the ship's ability to fight and win "war-at-sea."

The ship is currently berthed at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF), Bremerton, WA, awaiting final disposal by recycling.

[gate2wire]

CVN 76??? Already taken...

http://www.reagan.navy.mil/gallery.html

[ARE SOLE]

Yeah, I doh’d on that. I know about the Ronnie Reagan. But can you imagine a carrier named after the cackler? It might happen.

Regards

[KarlInOhio]

Can you imagine CV Hillary Clinton??

Wide beam, heavy keel and lists to port.

[SuziQ]

The selection of Mississippi, designated SSN 782, is dedicated to the state's long standing tradition of shipbuilding in support of our nation's defense.

WooHoo! Ingalls Shipyard! You can see the tall support structures from our Fishing Camp!

[Sudetenland]

Go! Go! Go! Win! Win! Win! Kill! Kill! Kill! Death to all of America's enemies!

Excuse me, did I say that out loud? :)

[gate2wire]

No. Can’t imagine piaps getting ANYTHING named for her. (bill either.)

[ARE SOLE]

Can you imagine CV Hillary Clinton?? Wide beam, heavy keel and lists to port.

Well done !

Regards

[SuziQ]

Wide beam, heavy keel and lists to port.

*snort*

[DarthVader]

The fast attack sub has evolved over the years into submersible cruiser or capital ship. The Virginia-class embodies the best features of the sucessful Los Angeles and Sea Wolf classes. They are very fast and powerfully armed. It is vessels like this that will make the Chinese or Russian surface fleets into scrap metal.

[DarthVader]

Add a “prominent poop deck”

[Sudetenland]

"and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged."

Award for the "Slight Understatement of the Year" award.

[Sudetenland]

...he said in his redundant fashion...

[L98Fiero]

The Los Angeles class ruled the day when I was in and the Sea Wolf was just being developed. I was wondering how the Virginia class compared.

[Oldexpat]

We need to increase the production of attack subs to head off the threat of China,Russia and others. We also need to build some diesel/electric subs to use for training and export to friendly powers.

[cva66snipe]

Can you imagine CV Hillary Clinton??

It will happen or rather rather uss william clinton cvn-79. The next class carrier CVN-78 is named after our unelected POTUS Ford. That was at the insistance of Senator Sleepy John Warner. I do know one thing for certain though. In today's Global Politically Correct atmosphere in DC there will never be another ship named after our nation USS AMERICA.

[brityank]

Cool.

I wonder if the California’s Berkley will have gold plated fixtures? ;^)

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Weird paintjob. I’m assuming they did that so that it’s hard to see what angle you’re looking at it(???).

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I’d rather be a sailor aboard the USS Turdbox.

[Polybius]

I guess the SECNAV doesnt care about the “Cold War Naming Convention” for Subs.... SSBN’s for States and SSN’s for cities.

It is a departure but it is much better than CVN's for still breathing or barely cold politicians.

[Chode]

iirc i believe it was called Dazzle...

[Little_shoe]

yeah were as the “traditional” carrier names have been give to all the LHAs and LHDs.

[BIGLOOK]

{{{ping}}}

[Doohickey]

I notice they’re still putting the towed array fairing on the wrong side. :)

[BIGLOOK]

Hey...don't expect a lot from engineers. Work it!

(Same on aircraft.)

[tanknetter]

I'm not sure I'm all that hot on having a submarine named "Missouri".

I'd rather have the name (and, actually, the names of the other three Iowas) held for whatever ship is going to mount those nifty railguns the Navy is developing.

[dixiechick2000]

Way cool!

"It also honors the indomitable spirit of the people of Mississippi who have made great strides in recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina."

My homies!
I'm so proud of them.

Didn't see a listing for the USS New Orleans, though. ;o)

Just a joke, my FRiends from the Big Easy.
Y'all know I luv ya'.

[dixiechick2000]

More likely turnip greens, black-eyed peas, pepper sauce, and cornbread. ;o)

[dixiechick2000]

"Wide beam, heavy keel and lists to port."

LOL!

That was excellent. ;o)

[dixiechick2000]

"Add a “prominent poop deck”

BWAAAhahahahahaha!

I should have scrolled down further.
That was excellent, too.

[Eye of Unk]

Any old timer Freepers care to explain why we used that paint scheme in WW2?
If not I will explain in brief, it was to break up from a distance the overall dimension of a ship, its heading and even speed to confuse torpedo attacks. Back then a lot was done by the Mark One optical sights.

[stboz]

Throw in some red beans, rice, sausage and sweet tea and nothing will touch her!

[Polybius]

Any old timer Freepers care to explain why we used that paint scheme in WW2? If not I will explain in brief, it was to break up from a distance the overall dimension of a ship, its heading and even speed to confuse torpedo attacks

Wow! Simply dazzling. ;-)

[mad_as_he$$]

The bad news is that there will be another USS Missouri. The good news is that it means I may gain momentum for my fight to the have second CVX named “Enterprise”.

[mad_as_he$$]

WW2 idea of cammo. thought it looked like waves in the distance. Germans tried similar things. Mixed reviews. Near the end of the war wide use of radar made it useless.

[cva66snipe]

The good news is that it means I may gain momentum for my fight to the have second CVX named “Enterprise”.

Now you done had two carriers named Enterprise LOL http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/carriers/histories/cv06-enterprise/cv06-enterprise.html Give us other ex-squids still in the single name a chance at it :>}

[mad_as_he$$]

No CVN-65 is scheduled to be mothballed when the first CVX comes online. Consequently the second CVX should be named Enterprise.

[mad_as_he$$]

and do not forget there was a CV-6 during WW2 named Enterprise. That is why the tradition must be continued.

[Brian S. Fitzgerald]

[Brian S. Fitzgerald]

http://www.gotouring.com/razzledazzle/articles/dazzle.html