HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries) announced on Thursday, December 16, that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has reached a major milestone in the construction of the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Oklahoma (SSN-802).
Oklahoma has reached the stage known as “complete pressure hull,” meaning that all major hull sections have been joined to form a single watertight structure. This phase is considered one of the most important moments in the construction process, as it marks the submarine’s structural consolidation.
According to Jason Ward, vice president of new submarine construction programs at Newport News Shipbuilding, the progress underscores the company’s commitment to accelerating production and delivering strategic capabilities to the United States Navy.
“Achieving complete pressure hull on Oklahoma highlights our commitment to accelerating production and delivering unmatched capability to our Navy customer. Our dedicated shipbuilders, Navy teammates, and suppliers from across the country work side by side to bring Oklahoma to life,” Ward said.
USS Oklahoma is the 29th Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, the first of Block V, and the 14th submarine of the class to be delivered by NNS. Block V represents a significant leap in capability, incorporating improvements in armament, range, and operational flexibility, including the Virginia Payload Module (VPM).
The ship’s sponsor is Mary “Molly” Slavonic, a native of the state of Oklahoma. She has long supported both the state and the U.S. Navy. Slavonic also played an active role, alongside her husband, former Acting Under Secretary of the Navy Greg Slavonic, in the construction of the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The memorial honors the 429 sailors and Marines who died aboard the battleship during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Newport News Shipbuilding is responsible for the design and construction of nuclear-powered submarines for the United States Navy. Virginia-class submarines are recognized for their advanced capabilities, significantly enhancing firepower, maneuverability, and stealth, and solidifying them as a cornerstone of the U.S. submarine force.
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Source and images: HII. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
