Newport News shipyard launches attack sub New Mexico

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding has launched the fast attack submarine New Mexico, bringing it one step closer to delivery, the company announced today.

Workers at Northrop Grumman’s Newport News shipyard put the sub in the James River for the first time Sunday, three days after moving the 7,800-ton vessel onto a floating dry dock, the company said in a news release. The sub, the sixth in the Virginia class, will now undergo final outfitting and testing before being delivered to the Navy in August.

“Our Virginia-class team has done an excellent job of achieving this milestone and furthering our efforts to deliver New Mexico eight months ahead of schedule,” said Becky Steward, vice president of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding’s sub program, in the release. “Launching a ship is always a proud moment for the shipbuilders and the crew.”

Cmdr. Mark Prokopius, the sub’s prospective commanding officer, was on board, according to the release.

“It’s great to get our ship in the water,” he said in the release. “We look forward to working with the shipbuilders to complete construction and testing and taking her to sea later this year.”