USS ''California'' (SSN-781), is the eighth , and the seventh
United States Navy ship named for the state of
California. The contract to build her was awarded to
Newport News Shipbuilding
Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, is the largest industrial employer in Virginia, and sole designer, builder and refueler of United States Navy aircraft carriers and one of two providers of U.S. Navy ...
(then called Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.) in
Newport News, Virginia
Newport News () is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 186,247. Located in the Hampton Roads region, it is the 5th most populous city in Virginia and 140th most populous city in the Uni ...
, on 14 August 2003. Construction began in December 2006.
''California''s keel was laid down on 1 May 2009.
She was
christened on 6 November 2010, sponsored by Donna Willard, wife of
Admiral
Admiral is one of the highest ranks in some navies. In the Commonwealth nations and the United States, a "full" admiral is equivalent to a "full" general in the army or the air force, and is above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet, ...
Robert F. Willard
Robert Frederick Willard is a retired Admiral (United States), United States Navy admiral who last served as the 22nd Commander, United States Pacific Command, U.S. Pacific Command from October 19, 2009 to March 9, 2012. He previously served as C ...
.
She was launched eight days later, on 14 November 2010.
''California'' is the first ''Virginia''-class submarine built with the advanced electromagnetic signature reduction system; although it will be retrofitted into older submarines of the class.
''California'' was delivered to the Navy on 7 August 2011, eight and a half months ahead of schedule. The $2.3 billion ship was
commissioned on 29 October 2011 in Norfolk, Virginia.
References
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External links
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Virginia-class submarines
Nuclear submarines of the United States Navy
2010 ships
Ships built in Newport News, Virginia
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