Tester, Bullock, Secretary of the Navy to Host Ship Naming Ceremony

Senator Jon Tester, Governor Steve Bullock and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will announce the name of the next Virginia-class submarine at a ship-naming ceremony Wednesday, Sept. 2 at Metra Park in Billings.

Virginia-class attack submarines have the capability to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert, long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; mine delivery and minefield mapping. They are also designed for special forces delivery and support.  Each Virginia-class submarine is 7,800-tons and 377 feet in length, has a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged.