U.S. Navy. Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS New Jersey (SSN 796) - YouTube - Mil 3010

USS New Jersey,a Block IV Virginia-class submarine,is the third U.S. Navy vessel named for the State of New Jersey.The USS New Jersey (SSN 796) is the first U.S. Navy attack submarine designed and constructed for a mixed gender crew.The Virginia-class,or SSN 794 class,is the newest class of nuclear powered fast attack submarines in service with the U.S. Navy.*General Dynamics Electric Boat (GD) is the prime contractor and lead boatyard for the Virginia-class submarine,with Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding (HII) in a secondary role.*Text by Mil 3010 and edited and augmented by Andrew Taylor*The Virginia-class attack submarine has been chosen as the platform for the SLCM-N programme.

USAF B-52H bombers deploy to UK to deter Putin - Stunning Pictures - YouTube - RAF Fairford,England

Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers of the 20th Bomb Squadron,2nd Bomb Wing out of Barksdale Air Force Base,Louisiana were deployed to RAF Fairford,England by Air Force Global Strike Command for Bomber Task Force 25-1.Bomber Task Force missions are not anounced in advance to give potential adversaries pause.They emphasise the U.S. Air Force's ability to project combat power anytime,anywhere across the globe.They also provide valuable experience integrating with Allies and Partners,enhancing deterrence and defence.Once on station,some actitivities are undisclosed.*General Dynamics produced the F-16AM Fighting Falcon until 1993,when Lockheed Martin took over.*Boeing (BA),General Dynamics (GD).German Luftwaffe Eurofighter Typhoons and Royal Danish Air Force F-16AM Fighting Falcons escorted the B-52 H's to their destination for a high explosives drop in the Cudgel Range in Lithuania.

US Marines, NATO. Tanks and armoured vehicles during military exercises in Sweden - YouTube - MIL 3010 - 10 NOV 2024

Abrams tanks by General Dynamics Land Systems (GD),UH-60 Black Hawks by Sikorsky Aircraft (Lockheed Martin subsidiary) (LMT),M4 carbine by Fabrinet (FN)*Rotational deployment of U.S. Marines to Sweden enhance interoperability and integration with a key Ally,improving deterrence and defence.

US Army, NATO. Soldiers from 2CR during field and urban training in Germany

The 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2nd Dragoons) is an active Stryker Infantry and Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army,with its garrison at Rose Barracks,Vilseck,Germany.Its Stryker Armored Combat Vehicle family is manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada.*General Dynamics (GD)

Aleutian Provocation:As Destroyers Dispatched to Signal Russia and China,Navy Orders Several More

Last week,a combined force of 11 Russian and Chinese warships operated together off the coast of Alaska's Aleutian Islands,according to U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM).The combined force was larger than one the two US adversaries sent through the Bering Sea last September,which had seven warships,four Russian and three Chinese.These were detected by the US Coast Guard Legend-class national security cutter Kimball (WMSL 756).As capable as the Kimball is,it was deemed to be an inadequate response.Hence four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers were assigned to escort the adversary vessels this time. NORTHCOM told the Wall Street Journal that the 11 vessels did not appear to enter US territory:Air and maritime assets under our command conducted operations to ensure the defense of the United States and Canada.The patrol remained in international waters and was not considered a threat.* On Tuesday 1 August 2023,the Navy awarded two five-year procurement contracts to Huntington Ingalls Industries Ingalls Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works for nine Arleigh Burke-class Flight III guided-missile destroyers.Huntington will build six destroyers and General Dynamics will build three between 2023 and 2027.The contracts also provide an option for additional destroyers if funded.No cost figures were disclosed.* According to USNI News,Flight III is built around the new AN/SPY-6 Air and Missile Defense Radar.It is to replace the Ticonderoga-class guided-missie cruisers as the primary air defence of the Carrier Strike Group (CSG).Said Bath Iron Works President Chuck Krugh:Flight III destroyers have significantly increased capability,and our skilled shipbuilders are committed to producing ships that meet the quality standards that our Navy Sailors deserve.*Flight III capability is considered critical for the nation,Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) indicated.* Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII),General Dynamics (GD)

China Launches New Threat,but the US Navy Builds Its Own

The Financial Times has reported that China had launched a hypersonic vehicle into space in July or August.The nuclear-capable weapon,capable of gliding to its target at over five times the speed of sound,was launched on an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile.It circled the Earth and then landed about 40 kilometers/25 miles from its target.Admiral James "Sandy" Winnefeld,US Navy retired,who was Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,said the test was an important surprise: because it demonstrates the capability to have a very long reach hypersonic weapon that could cause a lot of damage without us able to do anyhting about it.China denied the report,saying it was actually a space vehicle sent up on a routine mission to develop reusable space vehicles.China has been known to use its space program to cloak other military projects,however.* Hypersonic weapons,which may have conventional or nuclear warheads,are so fast and fly so low to the ground,they can be nearly impossible to detect.For its part,the US Navy is currently developing the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic weapon.It is intended to add strategic capability to the new Zumwalt-class destroyers and Virginia-class attack submarines.Launched on an 86.63 cm/34.5 in diameter rocket from launch tubes,it is to be deployed on the three Zumwalt-class destroyers by 2025,and on the Virginia-class submarines by 2028.New,larger launch tubes will have to be added to the Zumwalts in an Advanced Payload Module,since the existing 20 MK57 VLS modules with 80 launch cells are too narrow to accomodate the CPS.They are actually intended for the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile,Tomahawk cruise missile or Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Missile.* Two of the three Zumwalt-class destroyers,the USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) and USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001),have so far been commissioned.The future Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002) has been launched and is being fitted out.The stealthy,heavily armed warships are built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works.* General Dynamics (GD)

Undersea Warfare:US Navy Submarine Forces' ICEX 2016

On 2 March,the US Navy began constructing Ice Camp SARGO on an ice floe in the Arctic Ocean to support Ice Exercise 2016.The five-week drills are researching,testing and evaluating operational capabilities of the Navy's Submarine Forces in the Arctic region.*
ICEX allows us to assess our operational readiness in the Arctic;increase our experience in the region;develop partnerships and collaborative efforts;and advance our understanding of the Arctic environment,according to Vice Admiral Joseph E. Tofalo,Commander,Submarine Forces.The Arctic environment plays a key role in national defence.With over 1,000 miles of Arctic coastline,the US has strong national security and homeland defence interests in the region,VADM Tofalo pointed out.*
The Navy's San Diego-based Arctic Submarine Laboratory is coordinating,planning and executing ICEX,which has over 200 participants from four countries.Participating besides the US are Canada,the UK and Norway.It involves complex testing,demonstration and evaluation efforts that promote and align with broader Navy,DOD and national objectives in the Arctic,said ASL Director Larry Estrada.*
Ice Camp SARGO has shelters,a command center and the infrastructure to support more than 70 personnel at one time.It is named for the USS Sargo (SSN 583),which became in 1960 the first submarine to conduct a winter transit of the Bering Strait,and a subsequent North Pole surfacing.*
Navy Submarine Forces conduct Arctic under-ice operations in support of inter-fleet transit;training;cooperative allied engagement and operations,and have done so for over 50 years.*
Two US Navy Los Angeles-class fast attack submarines arrived at Ice Camp SARGO on 14 March.The USS Hartford (SSN 768) and USS Hampton (SSN 767),from Groton,Connecticut and San Diego,respectively,will conduct multiple arctic transits;North Pole surfacing;scientific data collection;and other training evolutions.*
These submarine operations provide the necessary training to maintain a working knowledge of an extremely challenging region that is very different from any other ocean in the world,said Commander Scott Luers,ice camp officer-in-tactical-command and deputy director of operations for Commander Submarine Forces,Norfolk.Navigating,communicating and manoeuvering are all different in an arctic environment as there are surfaces both above and below a submarine,CDR Luers explained.*
ICEX 2016 is our continued commitment to the development of undersea warfare capabilities and tactics in all areas of the world,said Rear Admiral Jeff Trussler,Commander,Undersea Warfighting Development Center.Our superiority in delivery effects in and from the undersea domain to operational commanders is dependent on the regular exercise and demonstration of these capabilities,RADM Trussler noted.*
The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarines,a product of General Dynamics Electric Boat Division,have a mission of anti-submarine warfare and land attack.They have a complement of 16 officers and 127 enlisted.Considered the current backbone of the Submarine Forces,there are 41 of them in service,the newest 30 of which have VLS tubes for Tomahawk cruise missiles,as well as tubes for Mk 48 torpedoes.The newest 23 of the boats,including the USS Hartford and USS Hampton,are modified for under-ice operations,being configured and strengthened for ice-surfacing.*
General Dynamics (GD)

2nd Cavalry Regiment Seeks Cannon Upgrade as Europe Heats Up

A US Army Europe unit,the 2nd Cavalry Regiment,which was deployed to the Baltic States when Russia invaded Crimea,has requested new,more powerful cannons for 81 of its Stryker infantry fighting vehicles.The Regiment wants 30 mm cannons to replace their current 12.7 mm armament-more than doubling their combat power.The US Army approved the request last Wednesday and the House Armed Services Committee is setting money aside for the upgrade as well,the Breaking Defense website learned from a memo.
The Regiment is concerned about countering the Russian BMP-3 amphibious infantry combat vehicle,which also has a 30 mm autocannon 2A72;a 100 mm gun/launcher that can fire anti-tank guided missiles;plus 3 7.62 mm PKT machine guns.*
Last Thursday,NATO accused Russia of mounting a buildup on the border with Ukraine that could facilitate a Blitzkrieg attack by Russian-backed separatists in Eastern Ukraine.More than 1,000 pieces of Russian military equipment,including tanks,artillery and air defence units have been massed on the border over the past month,NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg complained.What is more,Russia is stepping up the shipment of supplies to the separatist forces and providing advanced training and drones to them.The US State Department added that Russia has deployed air defence systems in Eastern Ukraine and that joint Russian-separatist forces are maintaining artillery and rocket launchers in violation of the current ceasefire arrangements.*
Russia is angered by US paratroopers from the 173d Airborne Brigade being on a six-month deployment to Western Ukraine for a training mission with six Ukrainian National Guard units,charging that they are in fact in Eastern Ukraine.*
The US currently has no permanently based tank forces in Europe,so the forward-deployed Stryker would have an even more critical role in the event of a crisis.General Dynamics manufactures the Stryker line of IFVs.*
General Dynamics (GD)

Progress Made on New Ballistic Missile Submarine;President Signs Defense Spending Bill

Congress has established a separate account for the Ohio-class Replacement Program.The account will contain funds for the US Navy's new Trident missile submarine that will replace the Ohio-class boats,which are under US Strategic Command as part of the nation's nuclear deterrent triad,along with land-based strategic bombers and Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles.The purpose of having a separate account is to take the pressure off the Navy's regular shipbuilding account,which must fund ongoing programs such as destroyers,littoral combat ships,aircraft carriers and attack submarines.This will allow the Navy to achieve its goal of a 300-ship combat force;it has 280 ships today.
The ORP account will include a transfer of excess Pentagon funds totaling 3.5 billion,plus a 1.3 billion appropriation from the 2015 Defense Spending Bill that President Obama just signed into law last Friday.The bill also forbids the retirement of the A-10 Warthog ground attack aircraft;forbids the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility;permits the awarding of Purple Heart medals to survivors of the November 2009 Fort Hood,Texas massacre by Army psychiatrist Nidal Hassan,who killed 13 and wounded more than 30 in support of Islamist militants;provides core Pentagon funding of 521.3 billion and 63.7 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan;plus funds for the training and equipping of moderate Syrian rebels and 5 billion for Iraqi security forces.*
The 12 ORP submarines will be procured from 2021-2035 at a Congressional Budget Office estimate of 7.7 billion per boat.The entire project will run about 70 billion dollars,according to the Navy estimate of 5 billion per submarine,which is lower than the CBO's.By the CBO's reckoning,the whole program would cost 92.4 billion.The submarines are intended to have a lifespan of 42 years-the same as the Ohio-class.The submarines will be the largest in the Navy's history at 560 feet long.They will be armed with 16 of the same Trident D-5 missiles the Ohio-class uses,fired from 45-foot tubes.A common missile compartment will be shared with the United Kingdom for its four new Trident D-5 submarines,each with 12 firing tubes.
The ORP submarines will enter service in 2031 and serve through 2085,carrying about 70% of the US strategic nuclear warhead arsenal in a stealthy,survivable manner.General Dynamic's Electric Boat division is currently working on their early engineering,design and prototyping at its Groton,Connecticut and Quonset Point,Rhode Island facilities.*
The ORP submarine will feature a quieter,direct propulsion drive system;advanced sound-absorbing coating;advanced sensing technologies;and the same communications system,antennae and mast as the current Virginia-class attack submarine.*
General Dynamics(GD)

Zumwalt Destroyer Christened in Maine

On Saturday 12 April,the US Navy's Pre-Commissioning Unit Zumwalt was christened at Bath Iron Works,Maine.The ship's sponsors,Mouzetta Zumwalt Weathers and Ann Zumwalt,daughters of the the late Admiral Elmo "Bud" Zumwalt,broke a bottle of champagne over the warship's bow in the formal naming ceremony.Also attending was Lt.Colonel Jim Zumwalt,US Marine Corps retired,the admiral's son,and Senator Susan Collins(R-Maine).*
Bud Zumwalt is best known for improving the living conditions of Sailors and opening up opportunities in the Navy to women and African Americans.He promoted the first female and African American officers to the rank of admiral and allowed women to fly warplanes and serve on ships at sea.*
The PCU Zumwalt is the first of three of the new Zumwalt class of destroyer that will be built at Bath by General Dynamics.She has the most advanced features,including a composite deckhouse with hidden radars and sensors;a stealthy shape;a wave-piercing hull that reduces her wake;electric propulsion;and surplus power for weapons of the future,such as the electromagnetic railgun to be tested at sea in 2016.*
The highly automated ship will have a crew of just 148-about half the size of other destroyers.At 610 feet in length,there will be plenty of room for the Sailors.Cameras and video monitors will reduce the number standing watch.The Zumwalt will be delivered late this year and commissioned in 2016.
It could be called a battleship,given its large size and heavy armament.Besides VLS cells for launching Tomahawk and several other missiles,the ship will initially have two fully automated 155 mm Advanced Gun Systems with rocket-assisted munitions that have a range of 83 nautical miles,and two Mk 110 57 mm guns.Later,the electromagnetic railgun may be added.The ship can also carry two MH-60R helicopters,or one MH-60R plus three RQ8B Firescout unmanned aerial vehicles.*
General Dynamics(GD)

Advanced Destroyer Leaves Drydock

The first of a new class of US Navy destroyer,the pre-commissioning unit Zumwalt,floated out of drydock at Bath Iron Works,Maine on Tuesday.It will be tied up pierside until its construction is completed.At 610 feet long,it is the largest destroyer in history.It's been decscribed as being absolutely huge and massive.*
The christening of a ship traditionally occurs when it leaves drydock,but the Zumwalt's had to be postponed till Spring 2014 because of the government shutdown.The late Admiral Elmo Zumwalt's two daughters will christen the ship at that time.Zumwalt was a decorated veteran of World War II,and became the youngest Chief of Naval Operations at age 49.He instituted the practice of women serving on US Navy warships.*
The weird-looking Zumwalt,which uses electric drive propulsion,is highly automated,so its complement of 158 personnel is only about half that of Arleigh Burke class destroyers.Unlike previous warhsips,its antennae are hidden within the superstructure,and its stealthy,low in the water hull has a wave-piercing bow for stability.The Zumwalt's advanced 155mm gun can lob rocket-propelled warheads almost 100 miles.*
Only three of the Zumwalt class of destroyer will be built,at a price of 3.5 billion dollars each.The Zumwalt is within budget and on time,in contrast to other high profile programs.Sea trials will occur in Fall 2014,and the ship is to be delivered by builder General Dynamics in 2015.*
General Dynamics(GD)

Assuring the Future:Navy Awards Destroyer Contracts

Two US shipbuilders are celebrating this week,as the US Navy awarded them a total of 6.1 billion dollars in contracts for the design and construction of nine Arleigh Burke class destroyers,with the option for a tenth pending congressional approval.The multi-year buy extends through 2017.Such deals are conducive to cost savings by allowing the shipyards to operate more efficiently.
Huntington Ingalls Industries and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works will reap 3.3 and 2.8 billion dollars,respectively, for an advanced version of the DDG 51 destroyer,which is really the heart of the surface combatant fleet.These multi-mission ships are equipped for anti-submarine;anti-air;and anti-surface warfare,a Navy spokesman said.
From the second ship on,they will feature the new Air and Missile Defense Radar(AMDR),plus more electrical power and cooling capacity for next generation AMD and joint battlespace awareness.The acquisition helps assure the ability to carry out the Air-Sea Battle Concept and new Pacific-centric national security strategy.
What is more,the Navy plans to add up to 8600 Sailors to its end strength-the only service to increase its ranks.They will be trained for maintenance;cyber;nuclear;electronic attack aircraft;and littoral combat ship specialties.The Navy is growing slowly over time,said Rear Admiral Joe Mulloy,Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Budget.
Huntington Ingalls Industries(HII),General Dynamics(GD)

US Navy Ship Status Report

On December 1,2012,the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise(CVN 65) was inactivated at a ceremony in Norfolk,Virginia.The name of a new ship,which is to be a Gerald Ford class carrier,was announced the same day:Enterprise(CVN 80).
January 20,2012,the submarine USS Memphis(SSN 691) was decommissioned and stricken.The USS Chicago(SSN 721) shifted its homeport from Pear Harbor,Hawaii to Guam on April 19,2012.The USS Mississippi(SSN 782) was delivered from General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton,Connecticut on May 2,2012 and commissioned on June 2 in Pascagoula,Mississippi.It is homeported at Groton.
The USS Minnesota(SSN 783) was christened October 27 at Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding  in Newport News,Virginia,and launched on November 9.
The following names of submarines were announced April 13,2012:Illinois(SSN 786);Washington(SSN 787);Colorado(SSN 788);Indiana(SSN 789);and South Dakota(SSN 790).Delaware(SSN 791) was announced November 19.
The USS Maine(SSN 691) was damaged in an arson fire on May 23 while in drydock at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery,Maine.She is being repaired for around 450 million dollars.
The Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Michael Murphy(DDG 112) was commissioned October 6 in New York and is homeported at Pearl Harbor.The name of  destroyer John Finn(DDG 113) was announced February 15.Fabrication started September 3 at Huntington Ingalls Industries Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula,Mississippi.
Two other destroyer names were announced February 15,2012:Ralph Johnson(DDG 114) and Rafael Peralta(DDG 115).A construction contract for Thomas Hudner(DDG 116) was awarded February 28,2012 to Bath Iron Works,Maine.The name of Lyndon Johnson(DDG 1002) was announced April 16 and construction was started April 4,also at Bath Iron Works.
The sequestration budget crisis is not expected to halt construction of ships already under contract,according to Mike Petters,President and CEO of Huntington Ingalls Industries.The real question is new contracts such as that for carrier Enterprise(CVN 80).
General Dynamics(GD),Huntington Ingalls Industries(HII)

Destroyer Keel Authenticated

On 18 June,the keel of the USS Michael Murphy(DDG 112)was authenticated at Bath Iron Works in Bath,Maine.This ceremony marks the beginning of construction on a ship.The Arleigh Burke class destroyer is named in honor of Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael Murphy,who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005.His family participated in the ceremony,confirming that the keel was laid straight and true.Lt.Murphy's mother,Maureen Murphy,is the ship's sponsor.She said she really worried about her son being a SEAL at first,but she got used to it because he said he's not cut out for the desk job yet.A banner with Lt.Murphy's likeness and the phrase "Do It For Murph" was posted at the event.
Bath Iron Works is a General Dynamics facility.Northrop Grumman also builds some of the guided missle destroyers.They are armed with 5-inch guns and several other weapon systems,along with missiles.
General Dynamics(GD),Northrop Grumman(NOC)

Defense Contractor Provides Connectivity

For General Dynamics,connectivity is a priority,as well as ships and armored vehicles.A provider of space-to-sea solutions,GD is providing secure communications and collaboration to connect the U.S. Navy and its joint allies,so they can be connected to the network and the mission from space to sea.Connected,networked and secured,naval network operations are being integrated with dynamic bandwidth allocation,everything-over-IP,and state-of-the-art security and technology,the company says.In consequence,commanders and sailors are connected for mission success.
Doing this work is General Dynamics' C4 Systems unit.Based in Scottsdale,Arizona,it provides both terrestrial and space-based communication networks,systems and products;command and control systems;battle management,intelligence,surveillance and reconnaissance systems;and several other offerings.Chris Marzilli is president of C4 Systems.Its revenue is not disclosed.
General Dynamics(GD)

EFV Prototype Rolled Out

A prototype of the U.S. Marine Corps' Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle was rolled out on 4 May at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico,Virginia.General Dynamics is building the amphibious vehicles.The Marines need 573 of them,including the standard personnel carriers,as well as 67 command and control vehicles to support battalion and regimental commanders.A colonel explained that the vehicles create a lot of uncertainty for an enemy force.They create places an enemy can't defend against,so the Marines don't have to relive an Iwo Jima,a Tarawa or a Normandy.
The vehicle is fast,leaving quite a dust trail in its wake.It is armed with a substantial turret gun,giving it the look of a tank.An enlisted man said it was the most fun he's ever had with an armored vehicle.The EFV makes a seamless transition from the water to the beach,and is totally at home either afloat or on shore.It really is a remarkable achievement for the contractor.It can carry 17 Marines-a rifle company- and three crew.Initial operating capability is expected in 2015.

Shipbuilder Upgraded

A Credit Suisse analyst has upgraded General Dynamics from neutral to outperform.The analyst,Robert Spingarn,raised its price target from 70.00 to 74.00.Mr.Spingarn feels the market has yet to factor in the stability of GD's defense programs in 2011-12,coupled with potential strong recovery growth in aerospace in that time frame.Besides building submarines and utility ships for the Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force and Military Sealift Command,as well as littoral combat ships,GD produces the Gulfstream line of business jets,which are widely used by governments and corporations.The company is headquartered in Falls Church,Virginia.It was founded in 1952.

The Oddball Destroyers

The three Zumwalt class destroyers were once believed to be the follow-on to the Arleigh Burke class.Instead,their role is now focused on support for land forces from near-shore positions.The very expensive ships are thus among the oddball hardware of military history.Remember the Air Force's XB-70 bomber?Frankly,they are something of a mistake,but that doesn't mean they won't be put to good use.They are a Marine Corps sort of ship,in the same league as amphibious assault and amphibious dock ships.These destroyers can support the Marines and be testbeds for advanced naval technology such as open architecture.They will also sustain the shipyard workers who build and maintain them for Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics.

Lockheed Team To Build

The Lockheed Martin industry team has been awarded a contract to build the third littoral combat ship.It will be the team's second LCS.They also built the USS Freedom(LCS1),while General Dynamics and Austal USA built the Independence(LCS2).The Navy may acquire up to 55 of the ships.The LCS is designed for missions in shallower water such as anti-mine,anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare,as well as maritime interdiction,intelligence-gathering and anti-terrorism.The next contract will be for three more ships,and is to be awarded in 2010.The lowest bid will win.Both versions of the LCS can sail at speeds of more than 40 knots.They have a basic complement of 40,with berthing for 75.Other members of the Lockheed team are Marinette Marine Corporation and Bollinger Shipyard.

Submarines Commissioned

The following Virginia class attack submarines were commissioned in 2008:USS North Carolina(SSN 777)on 3 May at Wilmington,North Carolina;USS New Hampshire(SSN 778)was christened on 21 June and commissioned on 25 October at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery,Maine.The USS New Mexico(SSN 779)was christened on 13 December at Newport News,Virginia.The submarines can travel at more than 25 knots submerged.They are built by General Dynamics' Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Newport News.