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Keel Laying
Launching - Sea Trials
Commissioning & Active Service
| Click On Image For Full Size Image | Size | Image Description | Contributed By/ Source |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 102k | Sail Construction of the Texas (SSN-775), 9/12/2002. | Photo by John Whalen, courtesy of Northrup Grumman Newport News. | |
 | 319k | Work began in August 2003 to join the last of Texas (SSN-775) hull sections together. Large hull sections which have previously had all the equipment installed are brought together and welded to form the completed ship's hull. Pictured is the bow section being moved to join with the rest of the forward end of Texas. | Photo by Stu Gilman, courtesy of Northrup Grumman Newport News. | |
 | 286k | Ceremony marking completion of the pressure hull of the Texas (SSN-775), 7 November 2003. The ceremony marked the completion of the submarine's final hull welds, making the entire pressure hull a single unit. It is the last major construction milestone before the Texas is christened next summer. | Courtesy of Northrup Grumman Newport News. | |
 | 325k | Ceremony marking completion of the pressure hull of the Texas (SSN-775), 7 November 2003. The ceremony marked the completion of the submarine's final hull welds, making the entire pressure hull a single unit. It is the last major construction milestone before the Texas is christened next summer. | Photo by Stu Gilman, courtesy of Northrup Grumman Newport News. | |
 | 76k | Captain John J. Litherland commanded Topeka (SSN-754) from December 2000 through June 2003, leading her through a Western Pacific deployment, a 15-month Depot Modernization Period at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, and the post-overhaul operational recertification and change of homeport to San Diego, California. Captain Litherland then assumed command of the Pre-Commissioning Unit for Texas (SSN-775) in November 2003 and oversaw her construction, testing and initial sea trials, culminating in her commissioning in 2006. From November 2006 to November 2008 Captain Litherland served as Commanding Officer of Florida (SSGN-728) (GOLD), completing her post conversion Strike and Special Warfare certifications and conducting the maiden SSGN deployment to the Indian Ocean in support of the Global War on Terror. | U.S. Navy photo via Bill Gonyo. Photo added 02/22/09. | |
 | 453k | Northrop Grumman Newport News hosted a keel-laying ceremony May 22 for the Virginia class submarine North Carolina (SSN-777). Under an innovative agreement, Newport News is producing the Virginia class submarines as part of a team with General Dynamics Electric Boat. The team is currently building the first 10 submarines of a class expected to reach 30 ships. Pictured are the both the North Carolina on the right and the Texas (SSN-775) on the left. | Photo by Chris Oxley, courtesy of Northrup Grumman Newport News. | |
 | 399k | The Texas (SSN-775), made its first voyage - on land - Saturday, 17 July as part of its roll-out from the Modular Outfitting Facility in preparation for the July 31 christening ceremony. | Photo courtesy of Northrup Grumman Newport News. | |
 | 53k | (Pictured from left) Northrop Grumman Newport News employees Warren Moore and Jerry Hayden put last minute touches on the ceremonial cover that will adorn the bow of the Virginia class submarine Texas (SSN-775), during the christening ceremony 31 July. | Photo courtesy of Northrup Grumman Newport News. | |
 | 351k | Preparations are underway at Northrop Grumman Newport News for the July 31 christening of the Virginia class submarine Texas (SSN-775). Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States, is the ship's sponsor and will christen the ship named for her native state. U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), will be the keynote speaker for the ceremony. | Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News. | |
 | 23k | Commemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the Texas's (SSN-775) christening ceremony at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard on 31 July 2004. | Courtesy of Jack Treutle. | |
 | 183k | The Bow of PCU Texas (SSN-775) is beautifully decorated for its christening ceremony at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard. PCU Texas is the second Virginia class submarine to be christened and will be delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2005. | U.S. Navy photo # N-5258M-001 by Lt. Cmdr. Jamie Morrison, courtesy of news.navy.mil. | |
 | 228k | The official party for the christening of PCU Texas (SSN-775) stand in front of the audience at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard. | U.S. Navy photo # N-5258M-005 by Lt. Cmdr. Jamie Morrison, courtesy of news.navy.mil. | |
 | 312k | First Lady Laura Bush christens PCU Texas (SSN-775) with a bottle of champagne as Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard President Tom Shievelbein stands by, during the ceremony at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard. | U.S. Navy photo # N-5258M-003 by Lt. Cmdr. Jamie Morrison, courtesy of news.navy.mil. | |
 | 259k | Northrop Grumman Newport News celebrated its first submarine christening in nearly a decade when Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States and the ship's sponsor, broke a bottle of American-made sparkling wine across the hull of the Virginia-class submarine Texas (SSN-775). Also pictured is U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) and Tom Schievelbein, Northrop Grumman Newport News president. | Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News. | |
 | 261k | Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States and the ship's sponsor attended the ceremony. Mrs. Bush said the day celebrated the devotion of sailors and shipbuilders. "She's built by the finest craftsmen and engineers in the world," she said. "This magnificent ship is a tribute to your skill." | Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News. | |
 | 71k | U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas was the keynote speaker for the ceremony and talked about the pride Texans feel for the first submarine named for the Lone Star State. "This is a great day for the forces of good in this world," she said. "This ship is another exhibit in our strong national resolve to win the war on terror." | Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News. | |
 | 231k | To commemorate the christening ceremony and Mrs. Bush's role as the ship's sponsor, Northrop Grumman Newport News donated nearly 200 books to all of the 28 Newport News Public Elementary Schools. The books are the 2004 Caldecott Medal and the 2004 Newberry Medal Award winners and honor books. Jeremiah Brown, a first grader at Doris Miller Elementary School and the son of Newport News employee Priest W. Brown together with Allysea Rivera, a second grader at Briarfield Elementary and daughter of Newport News employee Heather Wright, showed the books to Mrs. Bush as part of the ceremony. | Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News. | |
 | 243k | Tom Schievelbein, Northrop Grumman Newport News president, presented the bottle used in the christening to First Lady Laura Bush after she smashed it across the hull of the Virginia class submarine Texas (SSN-775). As she performed this time-tested toast, she said, "I christen thee United States Ship Texas. May God bless all who sail her." | Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News. | |
 | 371k | The approximately 4,000 invited guests were entertained by the U.S. Atlantic Fleet Band and the Texas A&M Fightin' Aggie Wranglers, a country and western dance group comprised of Texas A&M University students. Guests included Newport News and Electric Boat employees who are building Texas (SSN-775) and their families, family and friends of the Texas crew, U.S. Navy personnel and government officials. | Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News. | |
 | 408k | The officers & crew of the Texas (SSN-775) stand at attention during her christening at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard on 31 July 2004. | U.S. Navy photo courtesy of cnsf.navy.mil. | |
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