The U.S. Navy held a keel laying ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Indiana (SSN 789) May 16 at Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia.

“The Indiana keel laying is an important construction milestone for us and our shipbuilding partners,” stated Rear Adm. David Johnson, program executive officer for submarines. “This ceremony continues to demonstrate the collaboration between the Navy and our partners to ensure we are building a capable and affordable ship to defend our country.”

The initials of the submarine’s sponsor, Diane Donald, were welded onto a steel plate that will be mounted to the submarine. Donald is the wife of retired Adm. Kirkland Donald and a long-serving member of the Submarine Force spouse organization. She also organizes charity projects and events to raise funds for the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation and other worthy organizations.

Construction on the Indiana was begun in September 2012. It is the 16th submarine of the Virginia class and sixth of the eight ship Block III construction contract. Virginia class submarines are built under an agreement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding. So far, 28 submarines have either been delivered, are in construction or are under contract.

The submarines are used in littoral and open-ocean environments to collect intelligence critical to irregular warfare efforts with advanced surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Source: Naval Sea Systems Command