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EB unveils state of the art submarine;
By RAY HACKETT
Norwich Bulletin
GROTON -- The periscope in the control room has been replaced by a high-definition television, and the familiar circular sonar screen sweeping the sea for blips is now more like a streaming video.
Advances in technology have transformed the more familiar image of the inner workings of a submarine. Sailors today drive the massive military weapon system with a joystick -- similar to those found on a video game.
"Yeah, sometimes it feels like a video game," said Master Chief David Collins of Gales Ferry, who serves as pilot of USS Hawaii, the Navy's newest addition to the submarine fleet.
"The biggest difference I would say is the technology," the 23-year Navy veteran said Friday during a media tour of the sub.
Hawaii, the third of the Virginia-class submarines to be built by Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding, officially will be commission this morning in a ceremony at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton. Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, the ship's sponsor, will be among the many dignitaries attending today's event, giving the crew its first order to "man our ship and bring her to life."
"When that order is given, the Hawaii will become a fully capable combat ship in the fleet," said Cmdr. David Solms, captain of the ship. Solms also will be promoted to the rank of captain today.
With a crew of approximately 134 officers and enlisted men, USS Hawaii will spend most of the next year undergoing its shakedown cruise.
"It's kind of like test driving a new car," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Quan, the boat's executive officer. "You take it out and see how it performs before bringing it back to the shop for improvements."
Those who have been assigned to USS Hawaii since it was turned over to the Navy in December expect few improvements will be needed.
"It's state-of-the-art," said Machinist Mate Andy Tapia of Lisbon, a nine-year veteran of submarines as he guided the media tour through the boat's torpedo room.
Also attending today's ceremony will be U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, and U.S Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., who, along with their respective state congressional delegations, continue to lobby colleagues in Congress to increase the submarine construction rate from one to two a year.
The House Armed Services Seapower & Expeditionary Force Subcommittee Thursday approved a Defense Authorization Bill that includes an additional $588 million for the advance procurement of a second sub. Courtney remains cautiously optimistic the actual funding will be included in the Defense Appropriations Bill to be voted on later this year.
Three of the 10 Virginia-class subs to be built have been completed and turned over to the Navy. USS North Carolina is under construction in Virginia and Electric Boat laid the keel for the fifth of the class, USS New Hampshire, Monday at its Quonset, R.I., facility.
Hawaii will be based in Groton during its shakedown and post-shakedown testing. In 2009, the boat will be assigned to its permanent home base in Hawaii.
"This is as close as I get to Hawaii," said Collins who, along with most of the other crew, likely will be reassigned to another ship before that.
By RAY HACKETT
Norwich Bulletin
GROTON -- The periscope in the control room has been replaced by a high-definition television, and the familiar circular sonar screen sweeping the sea for blips is now more like a streaming video.
Advances in technology have transformed the more familiar image of the inner workings of a submarine. Sailors today drive the massive military weapon system with a joystick -- similar to those found on a video game.
"Yeah, sometimes it feels like a video game," said Master Chief David Collins of Gales Ferry, who serves as pilot of USS Hawaii, the Navy's newest addition to the submarine fleet.
"The biggest difference I would say is the technology," the 23-year Navy veteran said Friday during a media tour of the sub.
Hawaii, the third of the Virginia-class submarines to be built by Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding, officially will be commission this morning in a ceremony at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton. Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, the ship's sponsor, will be among the many dignitaries attending today's event, giving the crew its first order to "man our ship and bring her to life."
"When that order is given, the Hawaii will become a fully capable combat ship in the fleet," said Cmdr. David Solms, captain of the ship. Solms also will be promoted to the rank of captain today.
With a crew of approximately 134 officers and enlisted men, USS Hawaii will spend most of the next year undergoing its shakedown cruise.
"It's kind of like test driving a new car," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Quan, the boat's executive officer. "You take it out and see how it performs before bringing it back to the shop for improvements."
Those who have been assigned to USS Hawaii since it was turned over to the Navy in December expect few improvements will be needed.
"It's state-of-the-art," said Machinist Mate Andy Tapia of Lisbon, a nine-year veteran of submarines as he guided the media tour through the boat's torpedo room.
Also attending today's ceremony will be U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, and U.S Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., who, along with their respective state congressional delegations, continue to lobby colleagues in Congress to increase the submarine construction rate from one to two a year.
The House Armed Services Seapower & Expeditionary Force Subcommittee Thursday approved a Defense Authorization Bill that includes an additional $588 million for the advance procurement of a second sub. Courtney remains cautiously optimistic the actual funding will be included in the Defense Appropriations Bill to be voted on later this year.
Three of the 10 Virginia-class subs to be built have been completed and turned over to the Navy. USS North Carolina is under construction in Virginia and Electric Boat laid the keel for the fifth of the class, USS New Hampshire, Monday at its Quonset, R.I., facility.
Hawaii will be based in Groton during its shakedown and post-shakedown testing. In 2009, the boat will be assigned to its permanent home base in Hawaii.
"This is as close as I get to Hawaii," said Collins who, along with most of the other crew, likely will be reassigned to another ship before that.