Navy Lays Keel for PCU Indiana

From Team Submarine Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy held a keel laying ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Indiana (SSN 789) at Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News Shipbuilding, May 16.

The initials of the submarine's sponsor, Diane Donald, were welded onto a steel plate that will be permanently affixed to the submarine. Donald is the wife of retired Adm. Kirkland Donald and a long serving member of the Submarine Force spouse organization. She actively supported, organized and ran charity events and projects to raise funds for the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation and other worthy organizations.

"The Indiana keel laying is an important construction milestone for us and our shipbuilding partners," said Rear Adm. David Johnson, program executive officer for Submarines. "This ceremony continues to demonstrate the collaboration between the Navy and our partners to ensure we are building a capable and affordable ship to defend our country."

Indiana began construction in September 2012 and is on track to continue the Virginia class program's trend of delivering submarines early to their contract delivery dates, within budget and ready for tasking by the fleet.

Indiana is the 16th submarine of the Virginia class and the sixth of the eight ship Block III construction contract. Virginia-class submarines are built under a unique teaming agreement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding. So far, 28 Virginia-class submarines have either been delivered, are in construction, or are under contract.

Ships of the Virginia class embody the commitment by the Navy and industry to reduce costs without decreasing capabilities through a multi-year procurement strategy, continuous improvements in construction practices and cost-reduction design changes. These submarines excel in littoral and open-ocean environments and collect intelligence critical to irregular warfare efforts with advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.