Newport News Shipbuilding achieved a milestone in August when it delivered the bow module of Virginia-class submarine Utah (SSN 801) to General Dynamics Electric Boat.
It represented the final module delivery for NNS in the Block IV contract, which the Navy awarded in 2014, covering the construction of 10 Virginia-class boats.
“Completing module construction is a significant milestone for Block IV,” said Travis Williams, Virginia-Class Submarine program director.
Work began on Block IV when today’s younger shipbuilders were in elementary and middle school, so it is fitting to mark the achievement, Williams said.
“I do think it’s good to give some perspective to shipbuilders who are new,” Williams said. “Delivery of the Utah bow represents completion of a decade of Block IV module construction and all of the exceptional efforts required from NNS shipbuilders.”
Virginia-class submarines are built in partnership with Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. The two shipyards build modules of each submarine, then alternate in assembly and delivery.
The final delivery of the Utah bow module caught the attention of an on-the-spot photographer as it was transported by barge up the East River in Manhattan. The photo appeared in the “Roosevelt Islander Online.”
NNS-built submarines in the Block IV group that have been delivered to the Navy are the USS Montana (SSN 794) and USS New Jersey (SSN 796). The latter boat was commissioned Sept. 14.
In addition, Massachusetts (SSN 798) was launched at NNS earlier this year, and Arkansas (SSN 800) will be christened in December.
Work is well under way at NNS on Block V submarines.
