The US Navy has officially commissioned its sixth Virginia Class nuclear attack submarine, USS New Mexico, at Naval Station Norfolk.
USS New Mexico, the navy’s second ship to be named after the 47th state, features a reactor plant that will not require refuelling during the planned life of the ship to reduce lifecycle costs and increase mission duration.
The attack submarine is equipped with armaments Tomahawk cruise missiles and torpedo tubes.
The 377ft-long and 34ft-wide multirole vessel has a displacement capacity of 7,800t and a cruise speed in excess of 25kt.
The Northrop Grumman-built submarine can undergo missions including anti-submarine warfare; anti-ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; battle group support and mine warfare missions.
