From Naval Air Systems Command, Dec. 16, 2025 

NAS Patuxent River, Md. — The Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft program office (PMA-290) achieved an airborne connectivity landmark when the P-8A Poseidon Increment 3 Block 2 (I3B2) aircraft successfully connected to the Minotaur Family of Systems (MFoS) Labyrinth hub. This pivotal connection occurred during a combined development test / operational test event this December at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). 

I3B2 is a significant upgrade to the P-8A airframe and avionics systems. The upgrade includes new airframe racks, radome, antennas, sensors, and wiring. The modification incorporates a new combat systems suite with improved computer processing, higher security architecture, a wide-band satellite communication system, an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) signals intelligence capability, the Minotaur mission management system, and additional communications and acoustics systems to enhance search, detection and targeting capabilities. 

The Minotaur mission management system is a government-owned, open-architecture software suite. This government-off-the-shelf product combines data from various sensors to create a coherent picture for aircrews. Minotaur offers multiple aircraft and/or assets to share networked information, enhancing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. 

Labyrinth, a Minotaur cloud-platform, adds robust scalability in handling and correlating large volumes of data while providing external stakeholders access via a secure web-based interface.  The addition of Labyrinth capability into the Minotaur Enterprise enables the auto-scaling of services to allow for all Minotaur-equipped platforms to access vital shared information. 

Further proving Labyrinth’s expansive capabilities, during a recent test flight Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Zero (VX-20) connected to Labyrinth for the duration of the mission and provided thousands of relevant tracks.  

P-8A Poseidon test aircraft connecting to the Labyrinth cloud environment is a critical step forward in expanding the tactical utility for both in-flight aircrew and worldwide stakeholders. This achievement revolutionizes data sharing and enhances real-time situational awareness in the maritime domain. 

“With P-8A connected to Labyrinth, our MPRA community is now able to exchange multi-domain, multi-sensor tracks between existing Minotaur-equipped platforms and the new I3B2 aircraft,” said Capt. Erik Thomas, PMA-290 program manager. “This connection allows the P-8A and the watch floor to share critical operational data, ensuring that all stakeholders are synchronized to deliver a decision-advantage.” 

In response to evolving threats around the world, P-8A modifications are made via a sequence of rapid capability insertion efforts that build upon I3B2 baseline. In addition to Labyrinth, I3B2 modified Poseidon’s add top-secret architecture, Minotaur mission management system, Enhanced Multi-static Acoustics Capability (MAC-E), ASW Signals Intelligence Systems (SIGINT), wide-band satellite communication (SATCOM), and application-based architecture. 

“This milestone was the result of a collaborative effort between PMA-290 and VX-20,” added Thomas. “Advancing the strategic goals outlined by the program office and demonstrating a commitment to rapid capability development we are directly supporting continuous development of a naval “family of systems” for maritime surveillance.” 

The MPRA community, assisted by PMA-290, continues to prove the technical viability of integrating frontline warfighting aircraft with enterprise-level cloud services, paving the way for future fleet-wide implementation and a more connected, lethal force. 

PMA-290 manages the acquisition, development, support and delivery of the U.S. Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, in addition to executing the overarching Minotaur program of record for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard, as well as other services and agencies.  

From USS Nimitz Public Affairs, Dec. 17, 2025 

The Nimitz class carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) returned to its homeport of Bremerton following nine months underway in the U.S. 3rd, 5th, and 7th Fleets, Dec. 16. 

Nimitz departed Bremerton as the flagship of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG), Mar. 21, 2025. The nine months underway included three months in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility and nearly four months in U.S. Central Command. While overseas, NIMCSG worked alongside allies and partners to strengthen relationships and interoperability, deter conflict, and promote regional stability.  
  
“We have traveled more than two thirds of this planet during this nine month deployment, and I cannot overstate the positive impact Nimitz Strike Group has made as part of our mission to maintain peace through strength by sustaining credible deterrence alongside our Allies and Partners,” said Rear Adm. Fred Goldhammer, commander, Carrier Strike Group 11.  “With USS Nimitz as our flagship, I am extremely proud of how our Sailors carried forth our Navy’s 250 year legacy of promoting prosperity and security, deterring aggression and protecting the American way of life.” 
  
In 5th fleet, Nimitz supported freedom of navigation in the Arabian Sea, completing four Strait of Hormuz transits. The strike group provided power projection for U.S. Central Command, setting conditions for regional stability and enabling the Iran-Israel ceasefire. Additionally, the strike group supported U.S. Africa Command operations by conducting strikes against ISIS targets in Somalia. 
  
Nimitz also conducted port visits in Bahrain. Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, marking the first visit by a U.S. aircraft carrier to both UAE and Bahrain in over five years. Nimitz and its strike group also engaged in key leader exchanges and interoperability exercises with the Bahrani, Emirati, French, Indian, Malaysian, Omani, Pakistani, Saudi Arabian and Qatari Navies. 
  
While in 7th Fleet, Nimitz supported operations to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific, providing credible deterrence and reassuring allies and partners of enduring U.S. commitment to the region. Nimitz participated in Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 25), strengthening relations with regional partners. The ship also conducted routine port visits in Malaysia and Guam, where the crew participated in key leader engagements, community relations, sporting events and cultural exchanges. 
  
“I am deeply proud of this crew for proving, over nine months of sustained operations at sea, that they are well-trained, fit to fight and ready to win,” said Capt. Joseph Furco, commanding officer of Nimitz. “These men and women, these world-class warfighters, truly exemplified our Navy’s warrior ethos through their honor, integrity, resilience and relentless commitment to the mission and to each other.” 
  
Nimitz Sailors completed more than 8,500 sorties and 17,000 flight hours, carried out 50 replenishments-at-sea aboard the carrier and sailed over 82,000 nautical miles combined. 
  
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group consists of USS Nimitz, flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, embarked staff of CSG 11, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) and USS Gridley (DDG 101). 
  
An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation and overflight, the rule of law and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. 

Release from Northrop Grumman

MESA, Ariz. – Dec. 16, 2025 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has entered full-rate production to deliver Mk44 Stretch Bushmaster® Chain Guns® for the U.S. Marine Corps’ new Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs). The Mk44S will be integrated into the Kongsberg remote turret used on the Amphibious Combat Vehicle 30mm program (ACV-30), significantly improving firepower for the Marines. 

• The Mk44S offers enhanced range, reliability and overmatch as well as the ability to fire all NATO-standard 30x173mm cartridges, including Northrop Grumman’s suite of advanced ammunition. 

• The Mk44S includes the option to upgrade from 30mm to 40mm by simply changing the barrel and a few key parts, allowing for future flexibility.  

• Production is underway at Northrop Grumman’s Mesa, Arizona, facility. 

Experts: 

Dave Fine, vice president, armament systems, Northrop Grumman: “The Mk44 Bushmaster Chain Gun delivers unmatched firepower and reliability in even the most unforgiving conditions. By integrating this proven capability into the Amphibious Combat Vehicle program, we’re equipping Marines with the tools they need to dominate the battlefield and stay ahead of evolving threats.” 

Details on the Mk44S Bushmaster Chain Gun: 

The Mk44S is a medium-caliber weapon designed to fire 30x173mm ammunition and can be upgraded to fire 40mm rounds. It offers unmatched flexibility and reliability and is ideal for use with Northrop Grumman’s advanced programmable munitions.  

Task Force brings together leaders across government, industry, labor, and academia to advance a bold vision for US naval shipbuilding and maintenance  

Release From the Atlantic Council

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 16, 2025 – The Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security and its Forward Defense program announced today the launch of the Revitalizing US Shipbuilding Task Force in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL).  

Galvanized by momentum in the shipbuilding sector, the Task Force will develop actionable recommendations to strengthen US shipbuilding. It will develop novel approaches to design, construction, and sustainment, while balancing those innovative steps with proven measures to address persistent gaps across the sector.   

“The United States has a highly capable Navy, but to remain competitive, it needs to modernize its shipbuilding industry,” said Christine Fox, former acting deputy secretary of defense and a co-chair of the Task Force. “It is vital that the United States regains its ability to rapidly repair and produce ships today, while simultaneously preparing to take advantage of modern technology. Only with the adoption of new technology and processes will it be able to produce new, more capable ships, rapidly and affordably.”   

The Revitalizing US Shipbuilding Task Force is co-chaired by Fox; Mark Esper, the 27th secretary of defense; and Kenneth Braithwaite, the 77th secretary of the Navy. It will explore, among other aspects, how the United States can:  

Integrate advanced manufacturing capabilities in shipbuilding and maintenance;  

Develop workforce incentives to energize the maritime industrial base; and   

Evaluate the role that ally-headquartered shipbuilding firms can play in increasing US shipbuilding capacity.  

Over the next twelve months, this high-level Task Force will convene a bipartisan group of senior leaders to generate practical steps that ensure the maritime industrial base can restore US naval primacy and ensure the nation can effectively compete with China in the Indo-Pacific through sustained maritime presence and power projection.  

The Task Force’s world-class leaders will include former government officials, private-sector executives, academics, and experts in manufacturing, acquisition, and naval operations. They will convene for the first time on Tuesday, December 16.  

Task Force Members  

• Doug Beck, former director of the Defense Innovation Unit  

• Meredith Berger, formerly performed the duties of US under secretary of the Navy; former assistant secretary of the Navy for energy, installations, and environment  

• Admiral James Foggo, US Navy (retired), former commander, United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Allied Joint Force Command Naples  

• Admiral Lisa Franchetti, US Navy (retired), 33rd chief of naval operations  

• Vice Admiral William Galinis, US Navy (retired), former commander, Naval Sea Systems Command  

• Nickolas Guertin, former assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition  

• Ellen Lord, former under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment  

• Erik Raven, former under secretary of the Navy  

• Admiral John Richardson, US Navy (retired), 31st chief of naval operations  

• Russell Rumbaugh, former assistant secretary of the Navy for financial management and comptroller  

• Christopher Watkins, chief mission engineering and integration officer, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory  

Industry Task Force Members:  

  

• George Moutafis, chief executive officer, Fincantieri Marine Group (foundational partner) 

• Rear Admiral Tom Anderson, US Navy (retired), president of US shipbuilding, Hanwha Defense USA  

• Nicholas Galanos, vice president, navy and maritime industrial base, C3 AI  

• Hank Holland, chairman and chief executive officer, Amaero 

• John Lehman, vice president of strategy, corporate development and government relations, Abyss Defense  

• Rob Lehman, co-founder and chief commercial officer, Saronic Technologies  

• Vice Admiral Thomas Moore, US Navy (retired), senior vice president, government relations, HII  

• Danny Poisson, federal aerospace and defense chief technology officer, PTC  

• Dennis Pyatt, president and chief executive officer, Element US Space & Defense  

• Robert Smith, executive vice president, marine systems, General Dynamics  

• Vince Stammetti, executive vice president and chief operating officer, BlueForge Alliance  

• Jordan Webb, president and general manager, Colonna’s Shipyard  

• Brooke Weddle, senior partner, McKinsey & Company  

• Austal USA representative  

The Task Force is directed by Stephen Rodriguez and is managed by Mark Massa, Theresa Luetkefend, and Gabrielle Ellicott.  
  

The lead authors will be Michael Presley and Steven Wills. This work will build on the success of the Atlantic Council’s previous Commission on Software Defined Warfare, Commission on Defense Innovation Adoption, and Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force, and work in collaboration with the recently launched ReForge Commission.  

More information is available on the Task Force’s website. To follow its progress and receive updates, subscribe to Forward Defense. For press inquiries, please contact: [email protected].  

  

By Adolphina Vander Velde, Program Executive Officer Land Systems

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — In September, the Marine Corps unveiled the first full-rate production version of the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), marking a major milestone in expeditionary air defense and rapid capability delivery. Following weeks of intensive new equipment training and a live-fire exercise at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Marines are now equipped with a significantly upgraded system designed to counter the evolving threat of unmanned aerial systems and low-altitude air attacks. 
 
The MADIS relies on a complementary pair of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles that form a maneuverable Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) weapon system. It is designed to defeat UAS and manned aircraft while on the move or at the halt, providing an organic, expeditionary, and fully integrated Short-Range Air Defense capability. This fielding represents a deliberate and accelerated approach to capability delivery—one that prioritizes readiness, responsiveness and relevance to the modern battlefield. 
 
The MADIS has undergone substantial upgrades since its prototype phase. The full-rate production variant integrates advanced sensors, improved targeting algorithms, and enhanced mobility features that allow Marines to detect, track, and neutralize aerial threats faster and more effectively than ever before. 
 
The system’s modular design allows for future upgrades, ensuring MADIS remains adaptable as the threat evolves. Its integration with expeditionary platforms means it can be deployed rapidly, providing organic air defense to maneuver units without relying on external support. 
“Having supported the GBAD community for the last 22 years, from the schoolhouse to the program office, it’s clear that MADIS brings a critical new capability to the warfighter,” said Master Sgt. Brandon Meadors. “Marines have always said, ‘Anytime, anyplace,’ and this system helps us get there. It provides a state-of-the-art, mobile defense that directly supports our forces in the field.” 
 
During their time at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Marines participated in classroom instruction and field exercises designed to familiarize themselves with the MADIS’s architecture, capabilities, and tactical employment. The NET phase emphasized hands-on learning, with Marines engaging directly with the system’s radar, electro-optical/infrared sensor, and weapon platforms. 
 
The training culminated in a full-day, live-fire event, where Marines executed simulated engagements against aerial targets. The exercise validated the system’s performance and demonstrated the readiness of its operators. 
 
“I would tell other Marines training on this system to be open and be creative,” said 1st Lt. Michael Rushane. “This is the future of the Marine Corps and the future of GBAD as a whole. The ideas you come up with for how to employ this system, whether you’re a PFC or a General, will pay dividends in the success of this system moving forward,” Rushane added. 
 
With the successful completion of the NET and live-fire validation, the Marine Corps has taken a critical step in modernizing its air defense capabilities. This training represents a deliberate and accelerated approach to capability delivery—one that prioritizes readiness, responsiveness, and relevance. 

Release From SEA

SEA has been awarded a multi-million-pound contract to supply its advanced KraitArray undersea sensing technology to Liquid Robotics, a Boeing Company, for integration into the company’s Wave Glider uncrewed surface vehicle (USV). The agreement will see SEA provide 22 KraitArrays to support uncrewed autonomous maritime surveillance and undersea detection capabilities. 

Building on more than a decade of collaboration between SEA and Liquid Robotics, the project marks an important milestone in the global scaling of anti-submarine warfare (ASW), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and maritime domain awareness (MDA) payloads for uncrewed platforms, with both companies able to innovate with agility and deliver at scale. 

Richard Flitton, Managing Director of SEA said, “As global navies respond to rapidly expanding subsurface and autonomous threats, platforms like the Wave Glider equipped with KraitArray technology will offer a proven, highly scalable solution for persistent littoral surveillance. Our longstanding partnership with Liquid Robotics has been fundamental in shaping a capability that is ready to meet operational demands now and into the future.” 

Renowned for its exceptionally low size, weight, and power (SWaP) and drag characteristics, the KraitArray delivers high-end passive acoustic detection performance in a compact, modular form, purpose-built for uncrewed platforms such as the Wave Glider. KraitArray technology has been continuously developed and refined over 15 years, with the latest variant released four years ago to meet the specific demands of long-endurance autonomous systems. The continuous investment in product innovation, facilities and manufacturing capacity keeps KraitArray technology at the forefront to meet growing market demand.  

Paulie McCartan, Head of Undersea Products at SEA said “KraitArray was engineered from the outset to unlock the full potential of agile and uncrewed platforms. This latest contract signals growing global adoption of this technology and reflects confidence in SEA’s ability to deliver a lightweight, high-performance sonar solutions that are cost-effective, flexible, and operationally reliable.” 

Jimmy Board, Head of Business Development at Liquid Robotics said, “Our partnership with SEA is central to enhancing Wave Glider capabilities. KraitArray’s high-performance passive detection allows us to expand autonomous ASW and ISR operations, delivering scalable and reliable undersea sensing solutions for the next generation of uncrewed maritime missions.” 

With more than 50 systems already deployed across the UK, Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia, KraitArray has rapidly established itself as the preferred choice for uncrewed towed array autonomous undersea sensing and ASW operations across the globe. 

BINGEN, Wash., December 17, 2025 – Insitu, A Boeing Company, in collaboration with Hood Tech, releases the latest capability upgrades for the revolutionary Flying Launch and Recovery System (FLARES) for long-endurance Integrator UAS. These updates further enhance the resilience of the system to withstand the demands of the harshest environments on long deployments, with greater communications capability, solidifying Insitu’s place as the leader in US uncrewed aerial systems.   

“Our updated, resilient VTOL kit for multi-mission Integrator is a game-changer for customers that need truly expeditionary capability in challenging electronic and climatic environments,” said Diane Rose, Insitu CEO. “This enhanced resilience paired with battle-proven Integrator’s long endurance and multi-intelligence payload capacity enables our customers to fly expanded mission sets with confidence anytime, anywhere, even in the most contested environments.”    

This latest FLARES update introduces a suite of relevant resilience and performance enhancements that elevate the system’s operational effectiveness, safety and reliability in even the most demanding environments, making it ideal for diverse maritime and land-based missions. The updates include:  

• Improved Environmental Resilience: Engineered to withstand challenging climatic and operational conditions, including heavy seas, high winds, adverse weather, and complex terrain.  

• Encrypted GPS Options and Jam-Resistant Datalinks: Enhanced security and communication reliability, ensuring mission success even in contested and denied environments.  

• Updated Navigation Solutions for GNSS-Contested Operations: Optimized flight performance when operating in electronically contested environments, ensuring mission-critical autonomy.  

• Improved Supportability: Rapidly replaceable components such as propellers reduce downtime and simplify in-field maintenance. With redundancies built into its inherently robust design, FLARES remains easy to operate and remarkably durable.  

• Increased Launch Weights: Enables enhanced payload flexibility while maintaining endurance and range.   

“Throughout qualification testing together with Insitu, we find ourselves continuing to fly FLARES in more wind, more precipitation and more deck motion than our competitors,” said Hood Tech Mechanical’s Lead Engineer, Cory Roeseler, “We have the test range to ourselves in adverse weather, and we’re pleased to see opportunities arise as customers gravitate towards our safe, robust and very capable system”.  

FLARES enables operators to launch and recover Integrator in confined areas as small as a 10×10 meter footprint without sacrificing endurance (up to 27.5 hours), range (up to 2,000 nmi, point-to-point), or payload capacity (up to 50 lbs across 10 bays).   

Integrator is also equipped with multiple SATCOM BLOS control options, including support for Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) SATCOM, allowing for remote-split operations and missions conducted at unprecedented distances with ease.  

FLARES is available for current and future Integrator customers with no aircraft modifications required. Setup remains quick and easy, enabling rapid packing, deployment, and transport down range in challenging environments.   

When paired with Insitu’s modular Common Ground Control System and INEXA Control, FLARES delivers a truly expeditionary VTOL Group 3 UAS capability, enabling operations in contested electronic environments and harsh climates around the world.  

Integrator VTOL continues to be optimized for both maritime and land applications, delivering dependable performance in extreme conditions. This system provides versatile solutions to meet multi-domain intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) needs for government and commercial operators worldwide.  

With the release of these FLARES upgrades, Insitu and Hood Tech build on their combined mission to provide cutting-edge unmanned systems that meet the multi-intelligence, multi-domain, long-endurance demands of modern operations.  

By Team Submarine Public Affairs, Dec. 15, 2025 

GROTON, Conn. – The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the Submarine Force’s newest fast attack submarine, the future USS Idaho (SSN 799), from General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) Dec. 15, marking the second delivery of a Virginia-class fast attack submarine this year. 

The delivery represents the official transfer of the submarine from the shipbuilder to the Navy. The submarine and crew will continue to undergo a series of tests and trials before being commissioned into active service, which is expected to take place in the spring.   

“Idaho represents the hard work and tenacity of shipbuilders, industry partners and Navy personnel to deliver the best undersea warfighting platform to the fleet,” said Capt. Mike Hollenbach, Virginia-class submarine program manager. “With each delivery, the Navy reinforces our Nation’s superiority in the maritime domain.” 

Idaho is the 26th Virginia-class submarine co-produced by GDEB and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding through a long-standing teaming arrangement. It is the 14th delivered by GDEB and is the eighth of 10 Block IV configured attack submarines.     

When it joins the fleet, Idaho will bring significant warfighting capability to the fleet, underscoring the Nation’s asymmetrical advantage at sea. Virginia-class fast-attack submarines have enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that enable them to meet the Navy’s multi-mission requirements.   

The future USS Idaho is the fifth Navy ship to be named for the state of Idaho. The first was a wooden-hulled storeship commissioned in 1866. The last was battleship BB 42, which was commissioned in 1919 and received seven battle stars for service in World War II.  

The delivery of USS Idaho symbolizes the Navy’s 250-year commitment to innovation and maritime dominance. From seabed to space, the Navy delivers power for peace – always ready to fight and win. This milestone marks the Navy’s enduring legacy and commitment to shaping the future of maritime power. 

From Rite-Solutions 

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (December 12, 2025)—Rite-Solutions was awarded the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) contract on December 5th. 

The 10-year, $151 billion MDA SHIELD contract is a multiple-award, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract aimed at developing an advanced, multi-domain defense system capable of detecting, tracking, intercepting, and neutralizing threats to the United States and its forces across the air, missile, space, cyber, and hybrid domains. 

“This marks the first time Rite-Solutions was awarded a contract with the Missile Defense Agency,” says Laurie Carter, Executive Vice President of Business Development. “We are excited to expand the agencies we serve and are thrilled to be a part of the reputable pool of SHIELD awardees.” 

Rite-Solutions will support MDA’s goal of improving the speed and agility with which innovative capabilities are rapidly delivered to the warfighter. The scope of work encompasses four primary work areas (Research & Development, Engineering & Production, Operations & Support, and Analysis & IT Services) and includes early science, disruptive technology, production, sustainment, modernization, and facilities work. 

“This new vehicle allows us to develop systems that help the MDA counter ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile threats,” adds Rite-Solutions CEO and Co-Founder, Joe Marino. “It’s a perfect opportunity to apply our innovative capabilities in areas such as AI, digital and model-based systems engineering, agile processes, and open systems architecture.” 

From HII 
 

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Dec. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has reached a significant construction milestone for Virginia-class submarine Oklahoma (SSN 802). 

Oklahoma is now “pressure hull complete,” which signifies all of the hull sections have joined to form a single, watertight unit. 

“Achieving pressure hull complete on Oklahoma highlights our commitment to accelerating production and delivering unmatched capability to our Navy customer,” said Jason Ward, NNS vice president of new construction submarine programs. “Our dedicated shipbuilders, Navy teammates and suppliers from across the country, are working hand-in-hand to bring Oklahoma to life.” 

Oklahoma is the 29th Virginia-class fast attack submarine, the first of Block V and the 14th to be delivered by NNS. 

The ship’s sponsor is Mary “Molly” Slavonic, an Oklahoma native. Slavonic has long supported both the state of Oklahoma and the Navy. She worked alongside her husband, former acting Under Secretary of the Navy Greg Slavonic, in building the USS Oklahoma (BB 37) Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to honor the 429 sailors and Marines who died aboard the battleship during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. 

NNS designs and builds nuclear-powered submarines for the U.S. Navy. The advanced capabilities of Virginia-class submarines increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth.