The 13th Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine has delivered earlier than expected to the U.S. Navy, according to a Monday statement from Naval Sea Systems Command. The $2.5 billion Illinois (SSN-786) was delivered to the service on Aug. 27 and is the ninth ship of the class to deliver to the service ahead of schedule, according to NAVSEA.
“Illinois’ delivery continues the program’s success of delivering Virginia-class submarines ahead of schedule and within budget,” Capt. Michael J. Stevens, program manager said in a statement. “Our plan is to have Illinois out on operations next year, going from construction start to mission- ready in just over six years.”
Last year, USS John Warner (SSN-785) delivered to the service three months early.
Illinois completed its first set of trials and its first dive early this month and its Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) trials on Aug. 21.
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