Northrop Grumman Newport News (NGNN) celebrated a key milestone on USS Texas (SSN 775), with a ceremony marking the pressure hull being welded completely closed. This event, referred to as Pressure Hull Complete, is a significant step toward the completion and commissioning of the ship. With 81 percent of the construction work complete, Capt. NNGN is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build Virginia-class submarines. Each shipbuilder constructs sections of the ship, while final assembly, outfitting, test and delivery are alternated between them. Texas is the lead ship for NGNN under the co-production plan, and will be assembled and delivered at its facility in Newport News, Va., in 2005.