USS New Mexico (SSN-779)

PCU "New Mexico" (SSN-779), a "Virginia"-class submarine, will be the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the 47th state.

Construction

The contract to build her was awarded to Northrop Grumman Newport News in Newport News, Virginia on 14 August 2003. She is the Navy's sixth Virginia class submarine, has one million parts and 140 shipboard systems, and will cost $2.7 billion and requires 14 million man hours to assemble. [http://www.ussnewmexico.net/construction.htm Construction Status] - USS "New Mexico" - New Mexico Council, Navy League of the United States.] The sub will be built by a joint agreement between General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) and Northrop Grumman Newport News (NGNN). Construction began in January 2004 at the Electric Boat Corporation, Groton, Connecticut and Quonset Point, Rhode Island facilities, for the construction of the straight sections. [http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08779.htm NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive: New Mexico (SSN-779)] - NavSource Naval History] The individual components will be shipped to Newport News for final assembly. Her keel was laid down on Saturday, April 12 2008 . On May 18, 2008 the final hull welds were completed. [http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=143001 "'Pressure Hull Complete' for Northrop Grumman-Built New Mexico Submarine"] - Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - May 19, 2008] It is scheduled for christening in January 2009, and delivery in August 2009. [ [http://www.ussnewmexico.net/VA-ClassStatusUpdate.pdf "USS New Mexico & Navy’s Submarine Acquisition Program"] - USS "New Mexico" website - (Adobe Acrobat *.PDF document)]

Command

New Mexico native, Commander Robert Dain, is set to become the first commanding officer of the "New Mexico" (SSN-779). [Colbert, Corwin. [http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=23181 "New Mexico Native to Command Namesake Submarine"] - Navy.mil-Official Website of the United States Navy - 4/16/2006]

hip's crest

The crest of the USS New Mexico was designed by Emilee Sena, a senior at St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her winning design was chosen by the crew of the New Mexico out of 180 submitted from schools through out the state. [http://www.ussnewmexico.net/contest.htm Contest] - USS "New Mexico" website] [http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/55395.html# "Albuquerque student's crest design to grace USS "New Mexico"] - Associated Press - (c/o "Santa Fe New Mexican") - January 17, 2007]

The design incorporates an image of a New Mexico sunset, representing the beauty that makes New Mexico the "Land of Enchantment". The Sandia Mountains are shown at the time of the day when they demonstrate why they are called the Sandias – their pink shade. The red in the upper right corner represents the red in our nation’s flag, symbolizing valor and the blood that has been shed to protect our country. The blue in the lower left corner represents the blue of the American flag, symbolizing justice, vigilance, and perseverance. The Zia symbol represents the state flag, as well as the prominence of the sun in New Mexico. The shape of the emblem is unique because it reflects the influence of the Native American people in New Mexico, the shape is a design that can be commonly found in Native American Art, such as blankets and pots.

The naval dolphins on the sides are symbols for naval submarines. They shine with a white color because they represent the white on the American flag. This color symbolizes purity and innocence. The submarine in the center represents what the USS New Mexico is – a Virginia class submarine. It has a bow wave in front of it because it is in motion. The people on top of the ship are naval officers, holding a flag proudly for the world to see. This represents pride in the U.S. The gold in the border symbolizes courage, prosperity, wisdom, and confidence. These are all essential qualities for members of the Navy.

There is a nuclear symbol in the bottom left corner for two purposes, one to represent that the Virginia class submarines are nuclear submarines and that a lot of nuclear development has taken place in New Mexico at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and so this honors the people that have, and will contribute to the growth of nuclear advancements.

References

This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register and various press releases.

External links

* [http://www.ussnewmexico.net/ USS "New Mexico" (SSN-779) website] - New Mexico Council, Navy League of the United States.
* [http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/vcs/ssn779.html USS "New Mexico" (SSN 779) page] - Northrop Grumman