Navy graphic
The Navy commissioned the newest Virginia-class submarine, USS Washington (SSN 787), during a ceremony aboard the Navy to assist submarine sponsor Elisabeth Mabus, daughter of 75th Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus Naval Station Norfolk on October 7.
Washington, named for the 42nd state, is the 14th Virginia-class rapid attack submarine to join the Navy’s operational fleet. Elisabeth Mabus expressed how proud she was of the crew and their families.
“I know, while you are all eager to leave for Washington, like any sea service, you must be long distances away from your families. Thank you families,” Mabus said. “You are also the plank owner of this ship in the truest sense of the word.”
Mabus gave the order “to man our ship and bring it to life” before the crew of about 130 men ran over their foreheads onto the ship.
Washington is the fourth of eight Block III Virginia-class submarines to be built. The Block III submarines will be built with new Virginia Payload Tubes to reduce costs and increase missile launch capabilities. The first 10 Virginia-Class Block I and Block II submarines have 12 individual 21-inch diameter vertical launch tubes that can be used to fire Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMS). Block III’s submarines are built with two larger pipes, 87 inches in diameter, each of which can accommodate six TLAMs.
“We won’t know what challenges we will face as a nation 10, 15 or 20 years from now, but we do know from the work that is now being done at Newport News and Electric Boat and by the seafarers who call this ship home “USS Washington will be prepared for whatever is to come,” said Mabus.
Navy photo of Seaman Patrick T. Bauer
Sailors bow their heads in prayer during the commissioning ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine USS Washington (SSN 787) at Naval Station Norfolk. Washington is the US Navy’s 14th Virginia-class attack submarine and the fourth US Navy ship to be named after Washington State.
Commanding Officer, USS Washington, Cmdr. Gabriel Cavazos highlighted Washington’s ability to dominate the underwater domain and enable military success in any engagement.
“As I have told the crew many times before, they are the most important part of the ship. They give the ship its personality and fighting spirit. Without the occupation, Washington would not be the war platform for which it was built. However, combine the two and together we are the black fish, ”said Cavazos.
Today the USS Washington is alive and ready for the mission.
“Thank you for being here to celebrate this momentous occasion with us,” said Cavazos.
Washington is the fourth ship in the US Navy and the first submarine to be named in honor of Washington State. The previous three ships were an armored cruiser (ACR 11) that served from 1905 to 1916, the Battleship (BB 47), a Colorado-class battleship launched in 1921 and sunk as a target in 1924 after its construction was stopped in Dem Battleship (BB 56) has been credited with sinking more enemy tonnage than any other U.S. Navy battleship during World War II, which served from 1941 to 1947.
Washington is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to fulfill the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine combat; Anti-surface warfare; Delivery of special forces; Strike war; irregular warfare; Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare. Their inherent stealth, stamina, mobility and firepower directly enable them to support five of the six core competencies of the maritime strategy: maritime control, energy projection, forward presence, maritime safety and deterrence.
The submarine is 377 feet long, 34 feet wide, and can dive to depths greater than 800 feet and operate underwater at speeds greater than 25 knots. It has been operated without refueling for over 30 years.
Construction in Washington began in September 2011; The keel of the submarine was authenticated during a ceremony on November 22, 2014. and the submarine was christened during a ceremony on March 5, 2016.