The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest fast attack submarine, the USS Colorado (SSN 788), during a ceremony Saturday, March 17, at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut.
A photo illustration of the command crest for the future Virginia-class attack submarine USS Colorado (SSN 788). (U.S. Navy photo illustration/Released)
USS Colorado, which began construction in 2012, is the 15th Virginia-class fast attack submarine and the fifth Virginia-class Block III submarine. Colorado is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to be commissioned with a name honoring the state of Colorado. The first Colorado was a three-masted steam screw frigate that participated in the Union Navy's Gulf Blockading Squadron and fought in the Second Battle of Fort Fisher with then-Lt. George Dewey serving as her executive officer. In the early years of the 20th century, the second Colorado (ACR 7) was a Pennsylvania-class armored cruiser that escorted convoys of men and supplies to England during World War I. The third ship of her name, the lead ship of the Colorado class of battleships (BB 45), supported operations in the Pacific theater throughout World War II, surviving two kamikaze attacks and earning seven battle stars.
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla., (Jan. 12, 2018) Lt. Anthony Matus uses an Xbox controller to maneuver the photonic mast aboard the Pre-Commissioning Unit Colorado (SSN 788). Colorado is the 15th Virginia-class attack submarine and is scheduled to be commissioned March 17, 2018. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jeffrey M. Richardson/Released)
This next-generation attack submarine provides the U.S. Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea superiority well into the 21st century. 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.
GROTON, Conn. (Mar. 15, 2018) Pre-Commissioning Unit Colorado (SSN 788) sits pierside prior to commissioning March 17, 2018. Colorado is the the U.S. Navy's 15th Virginia-class attack submarine and named for the State of Colorado. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Darryl I. Wood/Released)
Virginia-class submarines are built to operate in the world's littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operation forces support; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions. Their inherent stealth, endurance, mobility and firepower directly enable them to support five of the six maritime strategy core capabilities-sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.
