NEWPORT NEWS, Va., (Sept. 27, 2023) — HII shared today (NYSE: HII) that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has reached a significant milestone in the construction of
Virginia-class submarine
Arkansas (SSN 800).
Arkansas (SSN 800) is now “pressure hull complete,” meaning that all of the hull sections were joined to form a single, watertight unit.
“It’s exciting to reach pressure hull complete, because it’s a visible sign that construction has progressed to the point where
Arkansas really starts to take its final shape,” said Jason Ward, NNS vice president of
Virginia-class submarine construction. “We absolutely understand the important mission ahead for
Arkansas and are working with urgency to get this powerful national security asset to the Navy as soon as possible.”
NNS is one of only two shipyards capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines. The advanced capabilities of
Virginia-class submarines increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth.
This milestone comes following the christening of
Massachusetts (SSN 798) and keel authentication of
Oklahoma (SSN 802) at NNS so far in 2023.
Arkansas is the Navy’s 27th
Virginia-class fast attack submarine. The ship’s sponsors are the six women of the historic group known as the Little Rock Nine, the first African American students to attend all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, during desegregation. NNS honored all nine members, including the three men, during the
November 2022 keel authentication ceremony.
Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) is now pressure hull complete at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division. The construction milestone signifies that all of the submarine’s hull sections have been joined to form a single, watertight unit. (Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII)
Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) is now pressure hull complete at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division. The construction milestone signifies that all of the submarine’s hull sections have been joined to form a single, watertight unit. (Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII)
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