Continuing
a time-honored shipbuilding tradition, on Saturday, March 7, Ship Sponsor
Annie Mabus laid the keel of the submarine Colorado, marking the ceremonial
start of construction for the 15th ship of the Virginia Class. |
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The event was hosted by General Dynamics Electric
Boat at its Quonset Point facility and attended by local and Congressional
dignitaries, Navy officials and more than 1,000 employees and family
members. Mabus, the daughter of Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, chalked
her initials on a steel plate to be affixed in the submarine. Electric
Boat employee John Alves then welded Mabus’ initials onto the
plate.
“Here in Quonset Point and in Groton, in Newport News and around
the country, thousands and thousands of exceptionally skilled shipbuilders
will build the USS Colorado, the most advanced ship in the world,”
said Navy Secretary Mabus. “No one builds warships as well as
America. No one.”
Along with the other ships of the Virginia Class, Colorado represents
a revolution in submarine design, construction and mission capability.
Its contract delivery date to the Navy is August 2017.
Virginia-class submarines have been delivered on-budget and ahead-of-schedule,
and displace 7,800 tons, with a hull length of 377 feet and a diameter
of 34 feet. They are capable of speeds in excess of 25 knots and can
dive to a depth greater than 800 feet, while carrying Mark 48 advanced
capability torpedoes, Tomahawk land-attack missiles and unmanned underwater
vehicles. In April 2014, the Navy awarded a $17.6 billion contract –
the largest in Navy shipbuilding history – to build 10 additional
vessels.
“Colorado will be a testament to the dedication of the employees
of Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding; our supplier network;
the leadership of the U.S. Navy, and our supporters in Congress,”
said Jeffrey S. Geiger, president of Electric Boat.
Serving as the backdrop for the ceremony was the 100-foot, 1,600-ton
module that will contain Colorado’s engine room.
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