NEWPORT NEWS, Va., 30 Dec. 2009 Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC) delivered the sixth submarine of the Virginia class, New Mexico (SSN 779), to the U.S. Navy today, four months ahead of schedule. New Mexico's 70-month construction period represents the shortest overall construction time of any Virginia-class submarine.
"New Mexico's delivery is a reflection of the commitment, dedication and hard work of the shipbuilders at Newport News, our Electric Boat partners, and the Navy," says Becky Stewart, vice president for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's submarine program. "We delivered her in record time, using one million fewer man-hours than her predecessor USS North Carolina (SSN 777). Our shipbuilders are focused on meeting safety, quality, cost, and schedule commitments. The progress we've made in the Virginia-class submarine program demonstrates their personal ownership in building the finest submarines in the world."
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build the first 18 ships of the Virginia class. Current plans call for 30 Virginia-class submarines in the fleet. Using millions of parts from over 4,000 suppliers in 47 states and the District of Columbia, Virginia-class submarines incorporate dozens of new military technologies and electronic systems and are the first major combatants designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind. For more information about the New Mexico, please visit http://www.sb.northropgrumman.com/vcs/.
