Overview
- Newport News Shipbuilding held the keel-laying for Barb (SSN 804) on December 9 in Newport News, Virginia, marking the start of in-yard construction.
- Pamela Bove was named ship’s sponsor, and welder Andrew Kahler etched her initials onto a steel plate that will remain with the submarine for its service life.
- Barb is the 31st Virginia-class fast attack submarine and is slated to be the 15th delivered by Newport News Shipbuilding.
- This will be the third U.S. Navy submarine to carry the Barb name, following a highly decorated World War II diesel boat (SS 220) and the nuclear-powered SSN 596 commissioned in 1963.
- Naval Today reports HII has teamed with Babcock to bolster Virginia-class construction throughput at Newport News and strengthen the submarine supply base.