Space Travel News  
Pressure Hull Complete On THe New Mexico Submarine

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding reached an important construction milestone May 18 when it completed the final hull welds of the Virginia-class submarine New Mexico (SSN 779)
by Staff Writers
Newport News VA (SPX) May 20, 2008
Northrop Grumman's Shipbuilding sector reached an important construction milestone May 18 when it completed the final hull welds of the Virginia-class submarine New Mexico (SSN 779). This accomplishment, known as "pressure hull complete," signifies the hull sections being joined to form a single unit.

It is the last major milestone before the ship's christening later this year at the company's Newport News, Va. facilities.

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, a newly-formed sector of Northrop Grumman, combined the former Northrop Grumman Ship Systems and Newport News shipbuilding sectors.

"Pressure hull completion is a major milestone in the shipbuilding process. She's starting to take shape now - it's a significant accomplishment and a proud occasion for all the folks who are constructing New Mexico," said Becky Stewart, vice president of submarine program for Northrop Grumman.

"We're on track to deliver the ship eight months ahead of schedule. That's a testament to our shipbuilders who have taken ownership of our goals and are involved in process improvements, which allow us to meet our quality, cost and schedule commitments."

New Mexico, the sixth ship of the Virginia class, is named for "The Land of Enchantment." Upon delivery to the Navy in 2009, it will be the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world, providing undersea supremacy well into the 21st century.

Northrop Grumman is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build the first 10 ships of the Virginia class. Current plans call for 30 Virginia-class submarines in the fleet.

Designed to meet the Navy's requirements in a post-Cold War security environment, the submarines use advanced technologies to increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth. The 377-foot long submarines are capable of submerged speeds of more than 25 knots and can stay submerged for months at a time.

Related Links
Naval Warfare in the 21st Century



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Raytheon Proves Advanced Anti-Submarine Capability With Flight Test
Eglin AFB FL (SPX) May 15, 2008
Raytheon has entered the U.S. Navy's High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapons Concept (HAAWC) competition, successfully demonstrating a new weapon system -- the Fish Hawk -- March 21 at the Eglin flight demonstration range in the Gulf of Mexico.







  • North Carolina Students Win National Team America Rocketry Challenge
  • NASA Successfully Completes First Series Of Ares Engine Tests
  • NASA Awards Contract For Ares I Mobile Launcher
  • Russia's Energomash To Double Production Of Rocket Engines

  • Sweden Launches MASER 11 Sounding Rocket
  • Spaceport Kourou Welcomes Fourth Ariane 5 Launch Campaign For 2008
  • Orbital Awarded Contract for Suborbital Launch Vehicle Research by US DoD
  • Arianespace Takes Delivery Of Its Third Ariane 5 In 2008

  • Discovery's Launch Date Confirmed: May 31
  • STS-124 Astronauts Wrap Up Launch Rehearsal
  • Discovery's Payloads Installed
  • Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives At Launch Pad

  • NASA TV Airs High-Def Day In The Life Of An ISS Astronaut
  • Russian cargo ship docks with the ISS: report
  • MDA Receives Information Solution Contract With Boeing
  • NASA Extends Space Station Contract With ARES

  • ESA Astronaut Recruitment Now Open
  • NASA Seeks Industry Partners For Innovation Transfusion Program
  • On The Moon Inhaling Is A Silent Affair
  • NASA: ISS to soon have new water system

  • Suits For Shenzhou
  • China Launches New Space Tracking Ship To Serve Shenzhou VII
  • Three Rocketeers For Shenzhou
  • China's space development can pose military threat: Japan

  • Robot conducts Detroit orchestra
  • Canada rejects sale of space firm to US defense firm
  • The Future Of Robotic Warfare Part Two
  • Robot anaesthetist developed in France: doctor

  • Rendezvous With Mars
  • Phoenix Probe Due To Touch Down On Martian Surface
  • Phoenix lander set for May 25 touchdown on Mars: NASA
  • Phoenix Ready For Northern Mars Polar Landing

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement