John Fancher News

Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding Division launches Virginia-class submarine Minnesota (SSN 783). To achieve her latest milestone, the 7,800-ton Minnesota was moved out of a construction facility into a floating dry dock using a transfer car system. The floating dry dock was submerged, and Minnesota was launched into the James River. Once in the water, tugboats moved the submarine to NNS' submarine pier, where final outfitting and testing will take place. As many as 1,000 shipbuilders have worked on Minnesota, the 10th Virginia-class submarine.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII) christened the 10th Virginia-class submarine, Minnesota (SSN 783), at the company's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division. The ship's sponsor, Ellen Roughead, performed the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the submarine's hull. Roughead, a Minnesota native, is the wife of former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead. "Minnesota is the sum of all her parts," Mrs. Roughead said. "Everything and everyone who has contributed will be an ingredient in the spirit and the force that makes Minnesota.

Huntington Ingalls Industries held the christening of the 10th Virginia-class submarine, 'Minnesota' (SSN 783), at its NNS division. The ship's sponsor, Ellen Roughead, performed the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the submarine's hull. Mrs. Roughead, a Minnesota native, is the wife of former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead. "Minnesota is the sum of all her parts," Mrs. Roughead said. "Everything and everyone who has contributed will be an ingredient in the spirit and the force that makes Minnesota.