The United States' newest and most-advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine, Mississippi (SSN-782), returned to the Electric Boat shipyard Apr. 9 following the successful completion of its first voyage in open seas, called alpha sea trials. Mississippi is the ninth ship of the Virginia Class, the most-capable class of attack submarines ever built. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics.
During the alpha sea trials, Mississippi submerged for the first time and conducted high-speed runs on and under the surface to demonstrate that the submarine's propulsion plant is fully mission-capable.
The sea trials were conducted by Adm. Kirkland Donald, director Naval Nuclear Propulsion. Also participating in the sea trials were Rear Adm. David Johnson, program executive officer Submarines; Rear Adm. Richard Breckenridge, commander Submarine Group Two; Rear Adm. (Select) Michael E. Jabaley, program manager Virginia-class Submarine Program; Capt. Darlene Grasdock, supervisor of shipbuilding in Groton; Kevin J. Poitras, Electric Boat senior vice president Engineering and Design Programs; John Holmander, Electric Boat vice president Virginia Program; and Joseph A. Walsh, Electric Boat vice president Operations. Mississippi is commanded by Capt. John McGrath.
Electric Boat and its major subcontractor, Newport News Shipbuilding, have received contracts to build the first 18 submarines of a planned 30-ship Virginia Class under a unique teaming agreement.
VIRGINIA-CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
• Displacement: 7, 835 tons
• Length: 377 feet
• Beam: 34 feet
• Payload:
- 40 weapons
- Special Operations Forces
- Unmanned undersea vehicles
• Weapons:
- Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles
- Mark 48 advanced capability torpedoes
• Crew: 134 officers and enlisted personnel
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