Article Posted on : - May 09, 2012

A Virginia-class submarine.

GROTON, CONNECTICUT (BNS): General Dynamics Electric Boat has delivered nuclear-powered attack submarine Mississippi (SSN-782) to the US Navy last week.

The Virginia-class submarine was delivered to the Navy 363 days ahead of contract schedule and more than $60 million below target cost, Electronic Boat, a fully-owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, said.

John Holmander, vice president and Virginia programme manager for General Dynamics Electric Boat, noted that Mississippi was at the most combat-ready state of any Virginia-class submarine at delivery.

Mississippi, the ninth ship of the Virginia Class, will be commissioned into the US Navy on June 2.

Electric Boat and its major subcontractor, Newport News Shipbuilding, have received contracts to build the first 18  submarines of this class.

The US Navy plans to acquire 30 such submarines which are being designed to carry out a broad range of open-ocean and littoral missions.