PRESS RELEASE

FROM: USS Massachusetts Commissioning Committee

 

The USS Massachusetts (SSN798) Commissioning Committee is celebrating Memorial Day in anticipation of the Virginia Class attack submarine commissioning in Boston.  Date of commissioning to be announced.

 

The US Navy’s newest submarine, named after our great state, the USS Massachusetts (SSN798) will be commissioned in Boston Harbor. This commissioning is unique as it will be conducted at Boston’s Connolly Terminal. Although there is limited seating for the ceremony itself, it will be visible from Castle Island and the USS Massachusetts will be open to the public for tours.  Details on public tours will be announced at a later date. A group of volunteers has assembled to raise funds for the submarine’s crew and to promote various events around the Commissioning Ceremony. More information is available on their website: https://www.ussmassachusetts.org/

 

The USS Massachusetts SSN798 is a Block IV Virginia Class submarine. The Virginia Class submarine is an attack submarine and is renowned throughout the world as the apex predator of the seas. These warships are the world’s most advanced military platform carrying missiles, torpedoes, surveillance equipment and capable of a dry dock for stealthily deploying US Navy Seal Teams.

 

The Viriginia Class Submarine allows the US to project power around the world. These submarines are undetectable to our adversaries and can appear anywhere while defending US interests from below the water. A technological marvel, the US is at least a generation ahead of peer adversaries. The USS Massachusetts is a fully gender integrated submarine. The US Navy’s submarine force has been integrated with female sailors for over a decade.

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At 377 feet, a Virginia Class Submarine stretches longer than the field at Gillette Stadium, with a beam of 34 feet and a displacement of 7,900 tons. The submarine travels at speeds above 25mph at depths beyond 800 feet.

 

The USS Massachusetts is currently completing construction in Newport News, Virginia.  The crew is training for operating at sea while testing all the newly installed systems to ensure the submarine can complete its assigned missions when called upon. The Commissioning Ceremony is the acceptance of the boat into the Navy where it “comes alive” as an official US Navy ship. The Castle Island ceremony will include numerous state, federal and military dignitaries. A noteworthy highlight is the USS Constitution is expected to sail alongside, making a passage where the oldest commissioned warship will sail by the newest warship ship in the US Navy.

 

Massachusetts has a long history of supporting the submarine force. Two submarines were repaired in Quincy Shipyard during the 1960’s after a tragic accident in the Atlantic. Today, many Massachusetts companies support the submarine force with materials, electronics and software. Overall, Massachusetts supplies close to a billion dollars annually to submarine operations.

 

Over the next year, the USS Massachusetts Commissioning Committee will be hosting numerous events to help raise awareness. In addition, the Committee will also be fundraising to help support the Commissioning Ceremony and ultimately support the sailors and their families.