Article Posted on : - Nov 17, 2010

The Virginia-class submarine California (SSN 781) at the company's Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Virginia. Photo: Northrop Grumman.

NEWSPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA (BNS): Northrop Grumman Corporation recently launched the eighth Virginia-class submarine California (SSN 781) at the company's Shipbuilding sector in Newport News.

The 7800-tonne ship was rolled out of the building and onto a floating dry dock.

Late Sunday, workers flooded the dry dock, setting the California afloat for the first time.

A team of tugboats moved the sub to a pier on the yard's south end where final outfitting and testing will take place.

"Launch is a special milestone in the life of a submarine, this is the first time she's put into the water," Becky Stewart, vice president of submarines and fleet support for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News, was quoted as saying in the company news report.

The submarine is now about 88 percent complete, and is tracking about 10 months ahead of schedule. The company officials plan to deliver the ship to the US Navy in the second quarter of next year.

California, the eighth ship of the Virginia class, is named after the "Golden State." The ship was christened on Nov. 6, 2010. Upon delivery to the US Navy in 2011, it will be the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world, providing undersea supremacy well into the 21st century.

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build Virginia-class submarines.