The U.S. Navy has assigned the name USS Arkansas to SSN 800, a Virginia-class attack submarine scheduled for construction in 2018.The Defense Department said Wednesday the submarine is the fifth naval ship to bear the name and is scheduled to enter the military branch’s fleet in 2023.
“She will sail the world like those who have gone before her, defending the American people and representing our American values through presence,†said Navy Secretary Ray Mabus.
Submarines under the Virginia class feature stealth surveillance and special warfare systems designed to help the Navy conduct various missions.
Virginia-class warships are designed to attack targets ashore with the use of Tomahawk cruise missiles and to perform surveillance on land areas, littoral waters and sea-based forces.
General Dynamics’ Electric Boat subsidiary and Huntington Ingalls Industries division Newport News Shipbuilding will collaborate to build SSN 800 under a teaming agreement.
NNS will be responsible for the delivery of the submarine to the Navy.
