Submarine modules shipped to Electric Boat

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NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Two modules for U.S. Navy Virginia class submarines have been shipped to General Dynamics Electric Boat by Newport News Shipbuilding.

Huntington Ingalls Industries, parent company of Newport News Shipbuilding, said the first module comprises the torpedo room for the future USS North Dakota (SSN 784), while the second was the module containing the auxiliary machine room for the future USS John Warner (SSN 785).

"These shipments represent the 99th and 100th barge shipments between Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding," said Jim Hughes, NNS' vice president, Submarines and Fleet Support. "It's satisfying to see these units being exchanged at such a remarkable pace and we look forward to turning the final products over to the U.S. Navy."

General Dynamics said the modules were shipped separately on barges -- the first module to Electric Boat's main facility in Connecticut and the other to a fabricating plant in Rhode Island.

Electric Boat said shipping by barge made modular construction possible since heavy-lift shipments would have to be smaller. Heavy-lift shipments would also require more assembly work at the delivery yard.