The U.S. Navy announced it would christen its newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine, the future USS Indiana (SSN 789), on Saturday, April 29, at Huntington Ingalls Shipyard in Newport News, Virginia.
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, who previously served as the 50th governor of Indiana, will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Diane Donald, wife of retired Adm. Kirkland H. Donald, director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion from 2004 to 2012, is serving as the ship’s sponsor.
“The christening of the future USS Indiana brings this technological marvel one step closer to joining the world’s preeminent submarine force,” Sean Stackley, acting secretary of the Navy, said.
Indiana (SSN 789) is the 16th Virginia-class fast attack submarine and the sixth Virginia-class Block III submarine. This next-generation attack submarine provides the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation’s undersea superiority well into the 21st century.
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