Article Posted on : - Sep 20, 2011

Virginia class nuke sub SSN 781. A File photo

NEWPORT NEWS (BNS): Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has begun construction of the US Navy’s new Virginia-class submarine, SSN 787.

The vessel’s construction began at the shipyard’s Newport News Shipbuilding facility on September 2, HII announced on Monday, adding that it marked the beginning of the programme’s two-submarines-per-year build plan.

The yet-to-be-named SSN 787 is the 14th Virginia-class nuclear submarine and the fourth of the Block III subs ordered by the US Navy.

HII has teamed up with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build the Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarines for the US Navy.

The Navy plans to acquire 30 such submarines and has already commissioned seven of the vessels so far.

The Virginia-class subs are designed to carry out a broad range of open-ocean and littoral missions.