Article Posted on : - Mar 29, 2010

US Navy's newly commissioned battleship USS New Mexico. A US Navy Photo

NORFOLK (BNS): The US Navy has formally commissioned its sixth Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine USS New Mexico recently.

The submarine was inducted in the Navy during a ceremony held at Naval Station Norfolk on March 27, the Navy said.

The multi-role vessel has been designed to carry out anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, irregular warfare, battle group support and mine warfare missions.

The 377-feet long New Mexico has a water displacement capacity of 7,800-ton. It has a 34-foot beam, and can dive to depths over 800 feet. The submarine can cruise at a speed of 46 kilometers per hour in submerged state.

The vessel has a reactor plant that will not require refueling during its planned life-span.

The armaments fitted on the submarine include Tomahawk cruise missiles and torpedo tubes.

Built by Northrop Grumman, the submarine was delivered to the US Navy in December, 2009, four months ahead of schedule.