Article Posted on : - Jul 26, 2010

The Virginia-class attack submarine Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Missouri (SSN 780). Photo: US Navy.

GROTON (BNS): US Navy’s most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine, Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Missouri (SSN 780) has arrived at Naval Submarine Base New London, in preparation for its commissioning on July 31.

Missouri has undergone material readiness inspection by the US Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) team after completing its sea trials.

INSURV is a survey team established by Congress to assess US Navy surface ships, aircraft carriers and submarines and ensure that they are properly equipped for prompt, reliable and sustained mission readiness at sea.

"The crew has done an unbelievable job over the past five months in getting the ship ready. They are clearly ahead of the game, and we're very excited to have them here at sub base and part of squadron four,” Capt. Michael Bernacchi, commodore of Submarine Squadron 4, said in a US Navy official news release.

Missouri is built to operate in both the world's shallow littoral regions and deep waters. It has excellence in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare missions.

Missouri has the ability to directly enable five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities - sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.

The 7,800-tonne submarine Missour was built under a teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News.

The 377-feet long submarine has a 34-foot beam, which makes it able to dive to depths greater than 800 feet and can operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots submerged. Missouri is designed with a nuclear reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship, reducing lifecycle costs and increasing underway time.