USS Texas (SSN-775)

USS Texas (SSN-775) is a Virginia-class submarine, and the fourth warship of the United States Navy to be named after the US state of Texas.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Texas.

USS Texas (SSN-775)
USS Texas in Yokosuka, Japan, in February 2015
History
United States
NameUSS Texas
NamesakeState of Texas
Awarded30 September 1999
BuilderNewport News Shipbuilding
Laid down12 July 2002[1]
Sponsored byLaura Bush
Christened31 July 2004[1]
Launched9 April 2005[2]
Commissioned9 September 2006[3]
HomeportPearl Harbor, U.S.
Motto"Don't Mess with Texas!"
Statusin active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeVirginia-class submarine
Displacement7,900 tonnes (7,800 long tons)
Length114.9 m (377 ft)
Beam10.3 m (34 ft)
Propulsion
  • 1 × S9G PWR nuclear reactor[4] 280,000 shp (210 MW), HEU 93%[5][6]
  • 2 × steam turbines 40,000 shp (30 MW)
  • 1 × single shaft pump-jet propulsor[4]
  • 1 × secondary propulsion motor[4]
Speedexceeds 25 kn (29 mph; 46 km/h)
RangeMeasured in terms of time (life-of-the-ship; approx. 33 years)
Complement134
Armament

The contract to build her was awarded to the Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard (then called Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.) on 30 September 1998 and her keel was laid down on 12 July 2002.[1] She was christened on 31 July 2004 by Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States.[7] She was launched into the James River on 9 April 2005, and commissioned as a US Navy warship in Galveston, Texas on 9 September 2006.[2][8]

History
SSN-775's keel being laid in July 2002.
SSN-775's keel being laid in July 2002.
Texas under construction.
The launching of USS Texas in July 2004.

Texas arrived at Galveston Bay on 4 September 2006 and was escorted into the harbor by Elissa. With a crowd of 10,000 in attendance,[9] Texas was commissioned in Galveston, Texas, and joined the US Atlantic Fleet on 9 September 2006.[3]

The boat departed New London Naval Submarine Base at Groton for Pearl Harbor on 16 September 2009.[10] On her way to Pearl Harbor, Texas traveled to the Arctic Ocean and surfaced near the North Pole's ice pack.[11] Texas arrived at her new home port on 23 November 2009.[12]

The submarine departed Pearl Harbor for her first three-month operational patrol on 27 October 2010. The location of her first deployment was not disclosed by the Navy.[13]

In May 2012, Texas underwent a scheduled 20-month-long overhaul.[14][15][16]

Ship's crest

"In the forefront is a full view of Texas, ready to go forth and take the fight to the enemy. Emblazoned on her hull is the shape of the state of Texas, denoting the outstanding patriotism and leadership the citizens of Texas have contributed to the American nation. Located within the state outline is a symbol of the atom, representing the warfighting capability and endurance afforded Texas by nuclear power.

Texas is backed by the traditional badge of the Texas Rangers. This identifies the singularity of purpose between the men and women who enforce Texas law and the sailors. The four white stars represent the four American warships to bear the name of the state of Texas. "Don't Mess with Texas" is a well known state slogan and a warning for those who attempt to prevent Texas from carrying out her mission. The battle scarred Lone Star flag flying behind Texas represents the gallant heroism of those who fought and died at the Alamo to ensure the future of Texas, and it also represents the perseverance with which Texas and her crew will endure through all missions that are put before her."

This commissioning was depicted in Season 2, Episode 4 of the Discovery Channel television series, FutureWeapons.[17]

References
  1. "Laura Bush Authenticates Keel for the Virginia-Class Submarine Texas (SSN 775) at Northrop Grumman's Newport News Sector" (PDF). Northrop Grumman Corporation. 12 July 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 October 2005. Retrieved 29 October 2005.
  2. "Northrop Grumman Successfully Launches Virginia-Class Submarine Texas". Archived from the original on 8 August 2007. Retrieved 8 December 2007.
  3. "First Lady Laura Bush Welcomes USS Texas to the Fleet". Archived from the original on 2 November 2007. Retrieved 9 December 2007.
  4. Ragheb, Magdi (9 September 2011), Tsvetkov, Pavel (ed.), "Nuclear Naval Propulsion", Nuclear Power - Deployment, Operation and Sustainability, ISBN 978-953-307-474-0
  5. "Validation of the Use of Low Enriched Uranium as a Replacement for Highly Enriched Uranium in US Submarine Reactors" (PDF). dspace.mit.edu. June 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  6. "US study of reactor and fuel types to enable naval reactors to shift from HEU fuel". fissilematerials.org. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  7. "Laura Bush Christens Texas Submarine at Northrop Grumman". Archived from the original on 10 August 2007. Retrieved 8 December 2007.
  8. "Uss Texas 775 Commissioning High Resolution Stock Photography and Images". Alamy. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  9. "First Lady Laura Bush Welcomes USS Texas to the Fleet". Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  10. Kakesako, Gregg K. (20 September 2009). "New Attack Submarine En Route To Its New Home at Pearl Harbor". Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
  11. Cole, William (15 November 2009). "USS Texas Pays Icy Visit To Arctic". Honolulu Advertiser.
  12. Cole, William (24 November 2009). "USS Texas Arrives at New Home Port in Pearl Harbor". Honolulu Advertiser.
  13. Kakesako, Gregg K. (29 May 2010). "USS Texas Leaves For First Deployment". Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
  14. "USS Texas holds change of command". ho'okelenews.com. 4 February 2012. Archived from the original on 6 October 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  15. "Shipyard Begins First Virginia-class EDSRA". navsea.navy.mil. 7 June 2012. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  16. "PNSY Completes First Ever Virginia-class Major Maintenance Availability". navsea.navy.mil. 10 May 2012. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  17. "Discovery: Future Weapons". discovery.com. 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.

Further reading
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