US Navy commissions attack submarine Delaware

The US Navy commissioned USS Delaware, the 18th Virginia-class attack submarine, on Saturday, April 4.

Although the traditional public commissioning ceremony was canceled for public health safety and due to restrictions on large public gatherings, the navy commissioned Delaware administratively and transitioned the ship to normal operations.

This is the first time in nearly 100 years the name Delaware has been used for a US Navy vessel. It is the seventh US Navy ship, and the first submarine, to bear the name of the state of Delaware.

Built by Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division, Delaware has a length of 114 metres, a beam of 10 metres, a maximum diving depth of greater than 240 metres, and a maximum submerged speed of 25 knots. It will be able to operate for over 30 years without ever refueling.