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
-
![First Canadian River-class destroyer to have its keel laid in June]()
First Canadian River-class destroyer to have its keel laid in June
Currently at the block fabrication and construction stage, the HMCS Fraser’s keel-laying ceremony is scheduled to take place next month as a step towards increasing the Royal Canadian Navy's anti-submarine and air defence capabilities.
-
![Australia’s Mogami-class frigates to feature RTX SeaRAM defence system]()
Australia’s Mogami-class frigates to feature RTX SeaRAM defence system
Under a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Raytheon will provide SeaRAM launchers, blast test vehicles and technical services for the Royal Australian Navy’s Sea3000 General Purpose Frigate programme.
-
![SAHA 2026: Aselsan seeks to replicate Turkey’s UAV success at sea]()
SAHA 2026: Aselsan seeks to replicate Turkey’s UAV success at sea
Turkey’s defence electronics company has unveiled two new uncrewed naval systems at SAHA 2026 – but the harder test will be converting it into an export success.
-
![Canada boosts Arctic presence as CCGS Donjek prepares for sea trials this year]()
Canada boosts Arctic presence as CCGS Donjek prepares for sea trials this year
CCGS Donjek is currently being prepared to start testing and be handed over to the Canadian Coast Guard in the second half of 2026.
