The US Navy’s ninth Virginia-class submarine has been formally christened as USS Mississippi (SSN 782) at the General Dynamics Electric Boat facility in Groton, Connecticut, US.
The 377ft-long Mississippi has a 33ft beam and a displacement capacity of 7,800t, while being capable of diving to depths in excess of 800ft and cruising at speeds of 25 knots while submerged.
The submarine has been designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare missions.
USS Mississippi is also capable of supporting the core capabilities of maritime strategy, sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence.
Huntington Ingalls Industries teamed up with General Dynamics Electric Boat to construct the attack submarines.
Mississippi is scheduled to be commissioned in June 2012.
