NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Dec. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII (NYSE: HII) at this time christened Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) on the firm’s Newport Information Shipbuilding (NNS) division.
Right now we have fun the mighty submarine Arkansas, and we honor bravery and affect: the heroes and heroic moments that form our future and make us who we’re, NNS President Jennifer Boykin mentioned. As highschool college students, the Little Rock 9 exhibited braveness, and confirmed the American folks what willpower and perseverance appear like. Their spirit guided them then, and at this time SSN 800 shall be instilled with this similar spirit of braveness, willpower, and resilience.
The ship’s sponsors are the six girls of the historic group often known as the Little Rock 9, the primary African American college students to attend all-white Central Excessive College in Little Rock, Arkansas throughout desegregation. NNS honored all 9 members throughout Saturday’s ceremony.
The Little Rock 9 made historical past in 1957 with their response to the U.S. Supreme Court docket ruling in Brown v. Board of Training, declaring racial segregation in public colleges unconstitutional. Confronted with shouting mobs, threats of violence and hostile state leaders who blocked their approach, the youngsters have been escorted into the varsity by federal troops on the path of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Pictures accompanying this launch can be found at: https://hii.com/information/hii-christens-virginia-class-attack-submarine-arkansas-ssn-800/.
On behalf of the opposite members, sponsor Carlotta Partitions LaNier carried out the normal honor of breaking a bottle of American glowing wine throughout the submarine’s bow in the course of the ceremony. She additionally addressed the assembled crowd in-person and people becoming a member of nearly from world wide, thanking the shipbuilders who’ve helped assemble Arkansas.
You’re a part of the crew who constructed Arkansas, LaNier mentioned. Your craftsmanship, your consideration to element, and your help for one another within the office made at this time a actuality. Having the ability to level to one thing you could have finished that can outlast and outlive you is a worthy achievement. We provide a grateful nod to every of you who had some half in constructing Arkansas. Certainly, that is an achievement to which you’ll be able to level with satisfaction.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro offered the keynote handle.
Arkansas represents the easiest of our submarine power capabilities and can function confidently along with her crew at sea, Del Toro mentioned. She is going to at all times be propelled by the proud legacy of her namesake, represented right here at this time by three of her brave sponsors, who overcame super adversity as members of the Little Rock 9.
Arkansas is the twenty seventh Virginia-class submarine and the thirteenth to be delivered by NNS.
“The christening of Arkansas demonstrates the power of innovation and the dedication of our shipbuilders,” mentioned Cmdr. Michael Huber, commanding officer of the pre-commissioning unit. Right now, Arkansas is one step nearer to crusing away from our shores, constructing on the courageous instance set by her sponsors, defending American beliefs and defending freedom world wide.”
NNS is one of only two shipyards capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines for the U.S. Navy. The advanced capabilities of Virginia-class submarines increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth.
A video of the ceremony, along with additional information on Arkansas, the Little Rock Nine, and the Virginia-class submarine program, can be found at: www.HII.com/SSN800.
About HII
HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HII’s mission is to deliver the world’s most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.
As the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII’s workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit:
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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bc7e3989-0d93-4dba-960d-711fd476defb
