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Northrop Grumman Newport News reached a construction
milestone on April 9, 2005 by launching the second Virginia-class
submarine, Texas (SSN 775). This was the company’s
first submarine launching in nearly a decade.
Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News
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The floating dry dock holding Texas slowly
fills with water before the submarine is launched into
the James River on April 9, 2005. Once in the water,
tugboats moved Texas to the shipyard’s
submarine pier, where final outfitting and testing will
take place.
Photo
by Chris Oxley,
Northrop Grumman Newport News
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James Holland, an employee in Newport News' Fitters
Dept. (X11), uses a surveyor's transit to find the centerline
on Texas before the submarine's official launch.
Photo
by John Whalen,
Northrop Grumman Newport News
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During the early morning hours of April 9, 2005, Northrop
Grumman Newport News ‘ floating dry dock slowly
fills with water before the submarine is launched into
the James River.
Photo by John Whalen, Northrop Grumman Newport News
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Texas is the second ship of the Virginia class.
With improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities
and special warfare enhancements, it will provide undersea
supremacy well into the 21st century.
Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News
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On April 8, 2005 the floating dry dock, with Texas
on board, moved into launch position and shipyard employees
and Texas crew members completed final launch
preparations.
Photo by John Whalen, Northrop Grumman Newport News
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Preparations for the Texas (SSN 775) launch
began when a transfer car system raised the 7,800-ton
submarine off its keel blocks and transported it 500
feet to the floating dry dock, a transportable dock
used to launch and dock ships.
Photo by John Whalen, Northrop Grumman Newport News
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