NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WVEC) --The future USS Montana will be the 21st Virginia-class submarine produced by Newport News Shipbuilding in its special partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut.
In fact, the two companies have been cranking out two subs per year since 2011.
The $2 billion vessels are highly prized by the Navy for their stealth technology. In all, 48 are planned to be acquired through 2043, and are expected to remain in service past 2060.
"Yeah, the future is very bright for the Virginia Class," said Jennifer Boykin, Newport News Shipbuilding President. "We have 4,000 of our about 23,000 shipbuilders at Newport News work in the Virginia Class program with our partners Electric Boat. The program is going very well and we're very, very proud and pleased to deliver this capability and these assets so the Navy can support the missions it needs."
The sub's commanding officer says the Montana will bring much to the fight.
"It will require less major overhauls and maintenance periods over a long life which allows it to do more deployments," said CDR Michael Delaney. "All the latest, greatest technology is going to be put on board Montana to be able to accomplish our mission."
Wednesday was an important milestone: the keel laying ceremony for the Montana, a source of pride for the Navy, the shipyard and the sub's namesake state.
"You know being a state that's not on the coast, but knowing this vessel will be keeping the United States safe means the world to the citizens of Montana and the citizens of the Pacific Northwest," said ship sponsor and former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell.
Construction began in 2015 and is 46 percent complete. It's expected to be finished and delivered to the Navy in 2020.
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