PCU New Mexico (SSN-779)

This week's ship honors the state I've been working in for the past couple of months. The second vessel to be named after the state of New Mexico, the PCU New Mexico is a Virginia class attack submarine under construction at Newport News, with a launch date of mid 2010.



Design stats from the ship's website:


Launched: Scheduled for 13 December, 2008
Commissioned: Scheduled for 2009
Decommissioned:
Life expectancy: 33 years
Length: 377 ft
Beam: 34 ft
Submergence Depth: in excess of 800 ft
Displacement: 7835 tons submerged
Compliment: 134 total, 118 when deployed
Speed: > 25 kts
Power Plant: 40,000 hp ducted propeller, powered by 1 SG9 pressurized water reactor
Armament: 4 forward launch torpedo tubes, 12 vertical launch missile tubes


The PCU (Pre Commissioned Unit) New Mexico is the second ship in the US Navy to be named after the state, the first being the Battleship (BB-40). The New Mexico is one of a new fleet of Virginia class attack submarines, a cheaper alternative to the Seawolf class, and a replacement for the aging Los Angeles class of attack submarines. The New Mexico is a multi-mission platform, designed not only for attack, but also for ELINT, and as a staging platform for small unit (SEAL) operations.