General Dynamics Electric Boat christened Virginia-class submarine Idaho (SSN 799) Saturday at its shipyard in Groton, Connecticut.
Like all Virginia-class submarines, Idaho was built by shipbuilders at Newport News Shipbuilding and Electric Boat as part of a teaming agreement. During the ceremony, Ship’s Sponsor Terry Stackley, who has a life-long relationship with the U.S. Navy, broke a bottle of sparkling water from Idaho’s rivers, streams and lakes on the submarine’s hull.
Bryan Caccavale, vice president of Navy Programs, represented NNS during the event and highlighted the increased demand for shipbuilding.
“Both Newport News Shipbuilding and Electric Boat have hired thousands of new shipbuilders in recent years, with many more to come,” he said. “As we build this essential workforce, our mission will remain building and delivering submarines that are unmatched in both strength and stealth. Our sailors’ lives depend on the quality of our work, and it is a responsibility we do not take lightly.”
SSN 799 is the 26th Virginia-class submarine and the fourth U.S. Navy warship to carry the name Idaho.
