The newest Virginia-class attack sub to begin production has been named, and its a name that gives her much to live up to:

The US Navy (USN) has selected a name for its 23rd Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, as officials announced on 24 May that SSN 796 is to bear the name USS New Jersey .

New Jersey will be the fifth Block IV Virginia submarine, to be built under a teaming agreement with Huntington Ingalls Industries at General Dynamics Electric Boat’s (GDEB’s) shipyard based in Groton, Connecticut. The USN in April 2014 awarded an historic USD17.6 billion multi-year contract to GDEB to support acquisition of 10 Block IV Virginia submarines from fiscal year (FY) 2014-18. New Jersey will be procured in FY 2016.

BBL