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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Patch contributed by Mike Smolinski

Virginia (SSN-774)
Commissioning

Radio Call Sign: November - Victor - India - Romeo

To Additional Pages

Keel Laying to Launching
Shakedown Cruise

Virginia Attack Submarine: The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 30 September 1998 and her keel was laid down on 2 September 1999.
Commissioned USS Virginia (SSN-774) 23 October 2004.

Specifications:Power Plant: One S9G pressurized water reactor, 29.84MW (40,000hp), one shaft with pumpjet propulsor, Improved Performance Machinery Program Phase III one secondary propulsion submerged motor. Displacement, 7,800 tons submerged. Length: 377 feet. Draft: 32 feet. Beam: 34 feet. Speed: 25+ knots submerged. Depth: Greater than 800 feet. Horizontal Tubes: Four 21" Torpedo Tubes, Vertical Tubes: 12 Vertical Launch System Tubes, Weapons: 38 weapons, including: Vertical Launch System Tomahawk Cruise Missiles, Mk 48 ADCAP Heavyweight Torpedoes, Advanced Mobile Mines, Unmanned Undersea Vehicles, Special Warfare: Dry Deck Shelter. Advanced SEAL Delivery System. Sonars: Spherical active/passive arrays. Light Weight Wide Aperture Arrays. TB-16, TB-29, and future towed arrays. High-frequency chin and sail arrays. Countermeasures: 1 internal launcher (reloadable 2-barrel) 14 external launchers. Crew: 113 officers and men.

Size	Image Description	Contributed By/ Source
221k	The Navy's newest attack submarine, Virginia (SSN-774), pulls into port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., 18 Oct. 2004, in preparation for her commissioning on 23 Oct. 2004.	U.S. Navy photo # N-2820Z-002, by Journalist Seaman Andy Zask, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
247k	The Navy yard tractor tug Susan Moran (YTB) from Moran Towing of Virginia helps guide the Navy's newest attack submarine, Virginia(SSN-774), into port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., 18 Oct. 2004, in preparation for her commissioning on October 23, 2004.	U.S. Navy photo # N-2820Z-001, by Journalist Seaman Andy Zask, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
207k	The Navy yard tractor tug Susan Moran (YTB) from Moran Towing of Virginia helps guide the Navy's newest attack submarine Virginia (SSN-774) into port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., 18 Oct. 2004, in preparation for her commissioning on October 23, 2004. The boat ahead of the *Virginia* might be a Vanguard-class SSBN from the United Kingdom's Royal Navy.	U.S. Navy photo # N-2820Z-003, by Journalist Seaman Andy Zask, courtesy of news.navy.mil. Partial text courtesy of Eric Fjell.
272k	The crew of Virginia (SSN-774) man the ship during her commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. on 23 Oct. 2004. *Virginia* will be homeported in Groton, Conn.	U.S. Navy photo # N-5268S-001, by Journalist 2nd Class Christina M. Shaw, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
205k	Mrs. Lynda Johnson Robb, the daughter of former President Lyndon Johnson and the sponsor of Virginia (SSN-774), announces to the crew to "man the ship, and bring her to life" at the commissioning ceremony of the newest class of fast attack submarines.	U.S. Navy photo # N-3527B-002, by Photographer's Mate Airman Timothy Bensken, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
200k	A Sailor raises the Union Jack as Virginia (SSN-774) is placed in commission at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.	U.S. Navy photo # N-3527B-001, by Photographer's Mate Airman Timothy Bensken, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
324k	Sailors assigned to Virginia (SSN-774), man-the-rails as Capt. David J. Kern takes command and brings the boat to life during the commissioning ceremony.	U.S. Navy photo # N-2383B-160, by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny Bivera, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
362k	The crew assigned to Virginia (SSN-774) bring her to life as they board the newly commissioned first nuclear-powered fast attack *Virginia-class* submarine.	U.S. Navy photo # N-2383B-150, by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny Bivera, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
282k	Keynote speaker Senator John Warner of Virginia, takes a moment to smile during the commissioning ceremony of Virginia (SSN-774).	U.S. Navy photo # N-2383B-109, by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny Bivera, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
269k	The many rates that make up the crew assigned to Virginia (SSN-774), stand at attention during its commissioning.	U.S. Navy photo # N-2383B-057, by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny Bivera, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
302k	Officers and crew assigned to Virginia (SSN-774), stand at attention during its commissioning.	U.S. Navy photo # N-2383B-008, by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny Bivera, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
34k	Invitation for the Commissioning ceremony for the Virginia (SSN-774), 23 October, 2004.	Courtesy of Wendell R. McLaughlin Jr.
17k	Commemorative postal cover marking the Virginia's (SSN-774) commissioning on 23 October, 2004.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
16k	Commemorative postal cover marking the Virginia's (SSN-774) commissioning on 23 October, 2004.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
18k	Commemorative postal cover marking the Virginia's (SSN-774) commissioning on 23 October, 2004.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
227k	Commanding Officer, Virginia (SSN-774), Cmdr. Todd Cramer, answers questions from local media about his submarine and its deployment. *Virginia* arrived home, 23 Nov. 2005, to Submarine Base New London, Conn., after embarking on her maiden deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.	U.S. Navy photo # N-0653J-003, by Lt. Mark Jones, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
306k	Friends and family members of Sailors assigned to the attack submarine Virginia (SSN-774), applaud as the submarine is moored to its pier.	U.S. Navy photo # N-0653J-001, by Lt. Mark Jones, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
122k	Snow covers the hull of the fast attack submarine Virginia (SSN-774) as it sits moored to the pier at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., on 2 Feb. 2007.	DoD photo # N-8467N-005 by John Narewski.
172k	An aerial view of attack submarine Virginia (SSN-774), bottom, and fast attack submarine Connecticut (SSN-22), moored to the pier at Submarine Base New London on 2 Feb. 2007.	U.S. Navy photo # N-8467N-001 by John Narewski, courtesy of navy.mil.
94k	Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) The Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter tours the fast-attack submarine Virginia (SSN-774) off the coast of Florida on 19 Feb. 2008.	U.S. Navy photo # N-5549O-115, by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
137k	Hannah Kiefer, Miss Virginia 2007, gets to look out from the bridge aboard the attack submarine Virginia (SSN-774) on 3 June 2008 as Lt. Erik Maddock explains some of the boat's systems.	U.S. Navy photo # N-8467N-001, by John Narewski, courtesy of news.navy.mil. Photo added 06/08/08.