QUONSET POINT, R.I. - The U.S. Navy held a keel laying ceremony for
the Virginia-class submarine Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Colorado (SSN 788) at
General Dynamics Electric Boat, March 7.
The initials of the submarine's sponsor, Ms. Annie Mabus, were
welded onto a steel plate that will be permanently affixed to the submarine. Ms.
Mabus is the daughter of Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus.
"Colorado’s keel laying is a special day for our Navy, the state of
Colorado, and our shipbuilding partners," said Rear Adm. David Johnson, Program
Executive Officer for Submarines. "This event marks the first major construction
milestone for the submarine and helps forge a special bond between Ms. Mabus
and, her submarine and her crew that will last for years to
come."
Colorado began construction in March 2012 and is on track to
continue the Virginia-class program's trend of delivering submarines early to
their contract delivery dates, within budget, and ready for tasking by the
Fleet.
Colorado is the fourth ship to bear the name of the state. Colorado
is also the 15th submarine of the Virginia class and the fifth of the eight ship
Block III construction contract. Virginia-class submarines are built under a
unique construction contract betweenjointly by General Dynamics Electric Boat
and Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding. So far, 28 Virginia
Class Submarines have either been delivered, are in construction, or are under
contract.
In addition to Colorado’s keel laying, other Virginia-class
milestones this year include the christening of USS PCU Illinois (SSN 786), the
commissioning of USS John Warner (SSN 785), and the keel laying of PCU Indiana
(SSN 789).
Ships of the Virginia Class embody the commitment by the Navy and
industry to reduce costs without decreasing capabilities through a multi-year
procurement strategy, continuous improvements in construction practices and
cost-reduction design changes. These submarines excel in littoral and open-ocean
environments and collect intelligence critical to irregular warfare efforts with
advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Their
inherent stealth, endurance, mobility, and firepower directly enable them to
support five of the six Maritime Strategy Core Capabilities - sea control, power
projection, forward presence, maritime security, and
deterrence.