The keel laying signifies a serious milestone within the lifetime of a ship the place the ship begins to transition from design to actuality. The longer term USS Oklahoma would be the twenty ninth Virginia Class Submarine and the primary Block V submarine. It’s the second Navy vessel, and the primary submarine, to be named for the state of Oklahoma.
“At the moment represents a end result of exhausting work and talent carried out by a proficient shipbuilding workforce and a robust basis for future Sailors who will patrol the deep seas aboard Oklahoma in service of our nation,” mentioned Capt. Mike Hollenbach, Virginia Class Program Supervisor.
In a time-honored Navy custom, the submarine’s sponsor, Ms. Mary Slavonic, regarded on as a NNS welder etched her initials onto a ceremonial metal plate that will probably be put in on the submarine at a later date. The bond symbolizes the enduring relationship between the sponsor, the ship, and her crew.
Slavonic has a protracted historical past of civic assist to each her native state of Oklahoma and to the Navy. She labored alongside her husband, appearing Beneath Secretary of the Navy Greg Slavonic, in constructing the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to honor the 429 Sailors and Marines who perished aboard the ship December 7, 1941.
Virginia-class submarines are essentially the most superior assault submarines on the earth, with superior stealth, firepower and maneuverability than earlier lessons. They’ll hit shore-based targets with extremely correct Tomahawk cruise missiles and are able to long-term, stealth surveillance of sea forces, littoral waters or floor targets. Their design additionally supplies for Special Forces supply and assist, mine supply and minefield mapping, and anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare. These capabilities permit the submarine drive to contribute to regional stability and preservation of future peace whereas working in every single place worldwide legislation permits.
For extra details about Virginia-class assault submarines go to:
https://www.navy.mil/Sources/Truth-Recordsdata/Show-FactFiles/Article/2169558/attack-submarines-ssn/
