North Carolina (SSN 777) Pressure Hull Completed
By Team Submarine Public Affairs, NAVSEA Newswire, 31 Aug 06
WASHINGTON – The Virginia Class submarine construction program is in full swing as North Carolina (SSN 777) reached a major milestone on Aug. 31 with the completion of her pressure hull.
This key event marked the completion of final welds that join sections of the cigar-shaped hull into a single unit that protects the crew and equipment from sea pressure.
“Completing the pressure hull is a significant milestone during submarine construction,” said Capt. David Johnson, Virginia Class Program Manager. “The ship looks more like a complete submarine, which gives a definite sense of progress and sets the stage for final construction, test and outfitting and delivery of the ship.”
General Dynamic’s Electric Boat (GDEB) and Northrop Grumman Newport News (NGNN) jointly build Virginia Class submarines. Each shipbuilder constructs sections of the ship, while final assembly, outfitting, test and delivery are alternated between them.
GDEB has already delivered USS Virginia (SSN 774) under the co-production arrangement and will deliver Hawaii (SSN 776) this coming winter. NGNN delivered Texas in June 2006 and is scheduled to deliver North Carolina in the spring of 2008 when it will become the fourth submarine of the Virginia Class to join the fleet.
“Virginia Class submarines are bringing needed capability to the fleet and the Global War on Terror,” stated Rear Adm. William Hilarides, Program Executive Officer Submarines. “As we build these ships, we will continue to look for production efficiencies that will make them more affordable. Along with our shipyard partners, we are getting the learning curve down and working together to find ways to meet our challenge of two submarines a year for $4 billion, in 2005 dollars, by 2012.”
The Navy has six other Virginia Class submarines under contract, and all are in various phases of construction. The Navy plans to build a total of 30 Virginia Class attack submarines to replace the aging Los Angeles Class submarines.