HII authenticates keel of Virginia-class attack submarine Oklahoma
The authentication of the keel of USS Oklahoma follows last year's authentication of the keel of Virginia-class submarine USS Arkansas (SSN 800).(Photo: HII)
HII's Newport News Shipbuilding division (NNS) has authenticated the keel of the Virginia-class attack submarine Oklahoma (SSN 802), marking an important milestone in the construction process of the first boat built to Block V standard.
USS Oklahoma is the 29th Virginia-class fast attack nuclear submarine, the first of Block V and the 14th to be delivered by NNS.
Cmdr Aaron Stutzman, commanding officer of the pre-commissioning unit, described the ceremony as an ‘important step [and] I am very grateful for the opportunity to be Oklahoma’s first commanding officer, training our sailors to work alongside the shipyard community building Oklahoma and to be ready to take the world’s most technologically-advanced submarine to sea.’
The Virginia class has a submerged displacement of 7,925t and measures 114.8m in length, with a beam of 10.36m and draft of 9.3m. Powered by a GE PWR S9G nuclear reactor and two 40,000hp (29.84MW) turbines, the submarines have an unlimited range and a maximum speed of at least 25kts.
Related Articles
US Navy commissions newest Virginia-class submarine
HII completes pressure hull for future Virginia-class submarine USS Massachusetts
HII authenticates keel for Virginia-class submarine
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Virginia Class Attack Submarine (SSN 792-SSN 811)
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Royal New Zealand Navy loses first vessel to the sea in 80 years]()
Royal New Zealand Navy loses first vessel to the sea in 80 years
The HMNZS Manawanui ran aground while surveying a reef near Samoa although all hands were saved.
-
![German Navy places its faith in F125 frigates]()
German Navy places its faith in F125 frigates
First-of-class Baden-Württemberg, a German F125 frigate, has been put to the test and declared suitable for Indo-Pacific operating conditions.
-
![Keel laid for Portuguese multi-purpose ship]()
Keel laid for Portuguese multi-purpose ship
In June 2022, the Portuguese Navy released the concept of a multifunctional ship called Plataforma Naval Multifuncional (PNM) and a tender was issued in late May 2023. A contract with Damen was signed in November 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives first full capability multipurpose combat ship]()
Italian Navy receives first full capability multipurpose combat ship
The Pattugliatori Polivalenti d'Altura (PPA or multipurpose combat ship) Thaon di Revel Class class consists of seven multi-role offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Italian Navy. Giovanni delle Bande Nere is the fourth of class.
