General Dynamics Electric Boat Completes Pressure Hull For Submarine USS Mississippi in Record Time

General Dynamics Electric Boat reached a major construction milestone on the submarine Mississippi (SSN-782), completing work on the pressure hull in less time than any previous ship of its class.

Electric Boat achieved “pressure hull complete” three weeks faster than the previous Virginia-class submarine record. Additionally, work on Mississippi’s radar, hatches, sonar dome and piping systems is significantly ahead of the record schedule attained on USS Missouri, the most recent submarine delivered to the U.S. Navy by Electric Boat.

These accomplishments put Mississippi on track to reach two additional Virginia-class records: the highest state of completion when the submarine first enters the water and the shortest time span from construction start to delivery. The Virginia-class submarine program is considered one of the most successful U.S. Department of Defense procurement programs.

“The Groton waterfront team developed an aggressive final hull-erection schedule and executed flawlessly,” said Ship’s Manager Harold Haugeto. “This three-shift evolution could not have been accomplished without the strong commitment and drive of our talented and experienced work force. I’m very proud of the team.

“I am equally proud of the quality and completeness of the super-modules we received,” Haugeto said. “By applying the lessons learned from the previous hulls, we are achieving additional reductions in cost and schedule.”

Electric Boat is the prime contractor on the Virginia program, which has delivered seven ships, with 11 more under contract.
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Source: generaldynamics, April 12, 2011