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Northrop Grumman Newport News held a ceremony November 7, 2003 to commemorate the pressure hull completion for the Virginia-class submarine Texas (SSN 775). The ceremony marked the completion of the submarine's final hull welds, making the entire pressure hull a single unit. Photo by Stu...

Work began in August 2003 to join the last of Texas’ (SSN 775) hull sections together. Large hull sections which have previously had all the equipment installed are brought together and welded to form the completed ship’s hull. Pictured is the bow section being moved to join with the rest of...

Northrop Grumman Newport News is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build the first 10 ships of the Virginia class. Photo by Rick Thompson, Northrop Grumman Newport News

Texas is the second ship of the Virginia class. With improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements, it will provide undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News

The floating dry dock holding Texas slowly fills with water before the submarine is launched into the James River on April 9, 2005. Once in the water, tugboats moved Texas to the shipyard’s submarine pier, where final outfitting and testing will take place. Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop...

The Navy flew a broom atop Texas' sail to signify a clean sweep of the ship's alpha sea trials. “It was great to be at sea on the Texas,” said Capt. John Litherland, prospective commanding officer of the pre-commissioning unit Texas. “She is a magnificent machine and a proud testimony to...

During the early morning hours of April 9, 2005, Northrop Grumman Newport News ‘ floating dry dock slowly fills with water before the submarine is launched into the James River. Photo by John Whalen, Northrop Grumman Newport News

Virginia-class submarines incorporate dozens of new technologies and innovations and are the first major combatants designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind. Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News

The keel for Texas was laid on July 12, 2002, the ship was christened by First Lady and Sponsor Laura Bush on July 31, 2004, and launched on April 9, 2005. Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News

Sea trials provide an opportunity to test all systems, components and compartments and include submerging for the first time, high-speed runs while on the surface and submerged, and a demonstration of the submarine's other capabilities. Photo by Rick Thompson, Northrop Grumman Newport News

Texas is the second ship of the Virginia class and will be the first submarine delivered by Newport News since 1996. Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News

The Texas (SSN 775) made its first voyage – on land – Saturday, July 17, 2004 as part of its roll-out from the Northrop Grumman Newport News Module Outfitting Facility in preparation for the July 31 christening ceremony. Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News

Preparations for the Texas (SSN 775) launch began when a transfer car system raised the 7,800-ton submarine off its keel blocks and transported it 500 feet to the floating dry dock, a transportable dock used to launch and dock ships. Photo by John Whalen, Northrop Grumman Newport News