Norfolk, Va. - The Navy commissioned its 10th Virginia-class submarine on Saturday in a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk.
The USS Minnesota was built in Newport News, with construction beginning in February 2008 and finishing 11 months ahead of schedule in June.
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The Minnesota is 377 feet in length and has a beam of 34 feet. It displaces 7,800 tons and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged.
Its reactor plant is designed to last the entire planned 33-year life of the ship, which helps reduce lifecycle cost while increasing the time the ship is available to perform missions.
The leaders and Sailors already assigned to Minnesota have excelled, said Rear Adm. Ken Perry, commander, Submarine Group 2.
"Minnesota has done a superb job of readying the ship for service in the fleet as a commissioned warship," said Perry. "[Commanding Officer] Capt. John Fancher and his team have literally from stem to stern worked the combat systems, nuclear propulsion plant, logistics, and culinary service."
