Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that the name of the Navy's newest Virginia-class attack nuclear submarine will be named the USS Delaware. He was joined at the announcement at the Pentagon by VP Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) and the states Lt. Governor.
Virginia-class submarines have enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements. They are capable of attacking targets on shore with Tomahawk cruise missiles and conducting covert long-term surveillance, as well as anti-submarine, anti-ship and mine warfare.
The submarine is being constructed by Huntington Ingalls Industries in partnership with the Electric Boat division of General Dynamics in Newport News, VA.