Secretary of the US Navy Ray Mabus hosted a ship-naming ceremony yesterday to announce that SSN 799, a Virginia-class attack submarine, will bear the name USS Idaho.
The future USS Idaho will be the fifth naval vessel to bear the name.
Virginia-class attack submarines have enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements. These submarines have the capability to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert, long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; mine delivery and minefield mapping. They are also designed for special forces delivery and support.
The submarine will be built under a unique teaming agreement between General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) and Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS) wherein both companies build certain portions of each submarine and then alternate deliveries.
Idaho will be delivered by GDEB located in Groton, Connecticut.
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Image: US Navy