Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement today after Secretary of the U.S. Navy Ray Mabus announced that one of five new Virginia-class attack submarines will be named the USS Colorado. It is the third ship to bear the state’s name.
“The entire state of Colorado—from our active military community to our veterans to our civilian population who support them every day—will take great pride in the fact that one of the U.S.’s newest vessels will bear our state’s name, honoring its collective commitment to our men and women in uniform.
“America’s Navy has protected our country through missions across the globe, and this new group of subs will fortify its fleet for the 21st century.”
The selection of Colorado, designated SSN 788, is the third ship to bear the state name. Each Virginia-class submarine is 7,800-tons and 377 feet in length, has a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. It is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship, reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.
The submarines will have the capability to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; mine delivery and minefield mapping. They are also designed for special forces delivery and support. For more information on the new submarines, click here.