14th Virginia-class submarine USS Washington delivered to Navy

The nuclear powered, fast-attack submarine Washington was delivered to the Navy on Friday, making it the 14^th Virginia-class submarine in the Navy’s fleet.

The Navy accepted delivery of the submarine after it received the highest score to date of a Virginia-class sub during its Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) trials earlier this month, according to the Navy. The INSURV board inspects all incoming ships through sea trials, determining the quality of construction and compliance with specifications and Navy requirements prior to acceptance.

Built in Newport News, Virginia, by Newport News Shipbuilding of Huntington Ingalls Industries, Washington is the fourth of eight Block III Virginia-class submarines. The Block III submarines feature two Virginia Payload Tubes capable of launching six tomahawk cruise missiles each.

"Washington's delivery continues our commitment to deliver Virginia-class submarines within budget and ready to deploy and execute Fleet tasking," said Capt. Mike Stevens, Virginia-class submarine program manager."

The nuclear-powered submarine was sponsored by Elisabeth Mabus, daughter of the 75th Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.

Washington’s role in the Navy’s submarine fleet will include "anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operation forces support; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions."

Washington is the third Navy ship to be named for the state of Washington and the first submarine to bear the state’s name. The previous ships were an armored cruiser which served under the name from 1905 to 1916, and a World War II battleship which was decommissioned in 1947.