Navy Set to Launch Next-Gen Attack Submarine USS Arkansas

The commissioning of the Virginia-class attack submarine USS Arkansas (SSN 800) is scheduled for December 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. EST. The event will take place at HII-Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia.

Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, will be delivering the principal address during the ceremony. Additional remarks will be presented by notable figures including Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones, General Dynamics Electric Boat President Mark Rayha, Admiral William “Bill” Houston, and U.S. Representative French Hill of Arkansas’s Second District.

The ceremony will honor the six women from the historic Little Rock Nine, who are sponsors of the submarine. These figures include Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals, Elizabeth Eckford, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Carlotta Walls Lanier, Minnijean Brown Trickey, and Thelma Mothershed Wair. Their courageous journey at Central High School during its racial integration in the late 1950s marked a significant moment in the civil rights movement.

Representatives Carlotta Walls Lanier, Elizabeth Eckford, and Gloria Ray Karlmark will attend the christening. “The USS Arkansas will play a crucial role in defending our nation,” stated Secretary Del Toro. “The presence of the Little Rock Nine as sponsors inspires resilience and dedication on this vessel and among her crew.”

This submarine will be the 27th in the Virginia-class and the fifth naval ship to hold the Arkansas name. It traces a legacy beginning with a Civil War-era steamer to a more recent Virginia-class guided missile cruiser. These submarines are engineered for multifaceted operations ranging from anti-submarine warfare to intelligence gathering, exhibiting superior stealth and firepower.

Secretary Del Toro emphasized the vessel’s part in maritime strategy, contributing to sea control and deterrence. In doing so, the USS Arkansas will help ensure regional security and peace. The commissioning ceremony will be accessible via a livestream starting at 10:50 a.m. EST on the day of the event.