The US Navy commissioned its newest Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine in a ceremony at Groton, Connecticut, on Saturday, May 28.
USS Oregon is the second Block IV Virginia-class submarine to enter service. It is designed to carry out the core missions of the submarine force including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, delivery of special operations forces, strike warfare, irregular warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and mine warfare.
Oregon is 377 feet (114.9 metres) long and 34 feet (10.3 metres) wide and will be able to dive to depths greater than 800 feet (240 metres) and operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots submerged. It has a crew of approximately 136 personnel.
The submarine was built by General Dynamics Electric Boat.
