Navy to commission 14th Virginia-class submarine

Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The Navy's 14th Virginia-class fast attack submarine will be commissioned into service on Saturday in Virginia.

The Navy said Thomas Dee, performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy, will preside over the ceremony for the future USS Washington at Norfolk Naval Station.

"The future USS Washington is among the most technologically advanced platforms in the world," Dee said in a press release. "This submarine not only represents the spirit, ingenuity and strength of the American people, but also recognizes the critical role that the State of Washington provides to our national security."

"I am grateful to the men and women of Newport News Shipbuilding and to all of their partners for delivering such an extraordinary capability that will ensure our future advantage over any potential adversaries."

The future USS Washington is the fourth Virginia-class Block III variant submarine. Construction of the ship began in 2011.

Block III Virginia-class submarines feature a redesigned bow, which replaces 12 individual launch tubes with two large-diameter Virginia Payload Tubes, each capable of launching six Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The commissioning of the future USS Washington can be streamed live at 11 a.m. on Saturday from the U.S. Navy's blog.