Navy Set to Christen Cutting-Edge Attack Submarine USS Arkansas

The USS Arkansas (SSN 800), a Virginia-class attack submarine, is set to be commissioned on December 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. EST. The ceremony will take place at the HII-Newport News Shipbuilding facility in Newport News, Virginia.

The significant event will feature an address by the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro. Other notable speakers include Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones, General Dynamics Electric Boat President Mark Rayha, Admiral William Houston of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, and Congressman French Hill of Arkansas’s Second District.

The submarine’s sponsors are six notable figures from the Little Rock Nine: Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals, Elizabeth Eckford, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Carlotta Walls Lanier, Minnijean Brown Trickey, and Thelma Mothershed Wair. These women were part of a historic moment in 1957 when they helped integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, following the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education ruling which declared racial segregation in schools unconstitutional. Their courage was supported by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who ensured their protection by federalizing the Arkansas National Guard.

While all members of the Little Rock Nine are to be acknowledged, Carlotta Walls Lanier, Elizabeth Eckford, and Gloria Ray Karlmark will specifically represent them at the event. This connection brings a legacy of resilience to the USS Arkansas, reflecting the ship’s mission of national defense and strategic operations.

Secretary Del Toro praised the USS Arkansas, stating, “With her advanced systems and dedicated crew, she’s pivotal for maintaining our strategic advantage.” He expressed admiration for the sponsors, emphasizing their lasting impact on the ship and crew.

The USS Arkansas will become the 27th Virginia-class submarine, continuing a proud lineage. Previous vessels bearing the name Arkansas have included a Civil War-era steamer and a Wyoming-class battleship commissioned in 1912, among others. These historical ties underscore the legacy and service of ships named Arkansas.

This class of submarines is equipped to perform a diverse range of missions from littoral to deep seas. Their stealth and endurance enable them to support maritime strategy across sea control, power projection, and deterrence. Such capabilities are critical for maintaining regional stability and peace.

The ceremony will be available via livestream starting at 10:50 a.m. EST.