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The newest Virginia-class attack submarine, USS Indiana (SSN 789), will be commissioned at Port Canaveral, Florida, Sept. 29, 2018. It will be the 16th Virginia-class attack submarine to join the fleet.

As the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world, the submarine can operate in both littoral and deep ocean environments and presents combatant commanders with a broad and unique range of operational capabilities. Indiana is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, delivery of Special Operations Forces (SOF), strike warfare, irregular warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and mine warfare.

Indiana is a part of the Virginia-class’ third, or Block III, contract, in which the Navy redesigned approximately 20 percent of the ship to reduce acquisition costs. Indiana features a redesigned bow, which replaces 12 individual Vertical Launch System (VLS) tubes with two large-diameter Virginia Payload Tubes (VPTs) each capable of launching six Tomahawk cruise missiles, among other design changes that reduced the submarines’ acquisition cost while maintaining their outstanding warfighting capabilities.

Indiana also has special features to support Special Forces, including a reconfigurable torpedo room which can accommodate a large number of personnel and all their equipment for prolonged deployments and future off-board payloads. Also, in Virginia-class SSNs, traditional periscopes have been replaced by two photonics masts that host visible and infrared digital cameras atop telescoping arms, which are maneuvered by a video game controller. Through the extensive use of modular construction, open architecture and commercial off-the-shelf components, the Virginia class is designed to remain at the cutting edge for its entire operational life through the rapid introduction of new systems and payloads.

SSN-789, which was built at Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia, will be 7,800-tons and 377 feet in length, have a beam of 34 feet and 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 boat, reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.

Diane Kerr McDonald, wife of retired Navy submariner Adm. Kirkland Donald, is the ship’s sponsor. Diane was a long serving member of the Submarine Force spouse organizations. She actively supported, organized and ran charity events and projects to raise funds for the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation and other organizations. In 2003, Diane served as President of Dolphin Scholarship Foundation and continued her passionate leadership of an organization dedicated to funding and awarding college scholarships for children of submariners. In following years, she continued as an advocate for Dolphin Scholarship Foundation and the Submarine Force at large, and as a strong supporter for the civilians and Sailors of Naval Reactors.

The submarine Indiana will be the fourth planned, and third commissioned U.S. Navy vessel to bear the Indiana name.

It is the first not designed as a heavy battleship. The first USS Indiana (BB 1) first served from 1895-1903, most notably as part of the naval blockade of Santiago Harbor in the Spanish-American War. It was recommissioned from 1906-1914, and again from 1917-1919 primarily as a training platform. The keel for a planned Indiana (BB 50) was laid down in 1920, but construction was halted due to the terms of the Washington Treaty for Naval Limitation following World War I, and it was never commissioned.

USS Indiana (BB 58) was laid in 1939 and launched Nov. 20, 1941, weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor. With work accelerated, the ship commissioned on April 30, 1942, and deployed for the war in the Pacific in November – less than a year after it was launched. A massive South Dakota-class battleship, USS Indiana played a key role in almost every U.S. naval engagement after its arrival. BB-58 earned the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with nine battle stars, the World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Medal with “ASIA” clasp, and the Philippine Liberation Medal with two stars. BB-58’s major campaigns in the Pacific included the Gilbert Islands Campaign, Marshall Islands Campaign, Mariana Islands Campaign and the Great Turkey Shoot, Battle of Iwo Jima, Okinawa Campaign and Preparations for Invasion of Japan. Following Japan’s surrender, Indiana was the first major combatant to return to the U.S., and the last of its class of battleships to be decommissioned in 1947.

If interested in attending the ceremony, visit https://ussindiana.org/index.html to request tickets.

For media interested in attending the Media Day (Sept. 27) and/or commissioning ceremony (Sept. 29), contact the Submarine Force Atlantic Public Affairs office at (860) 625-9924, or via email at [email protected] by noon, Monday, Sept. 24th.

No live trucks or vans will be authorized.

Media who are not able to attend the Media Day or Ceremony may request remote interviews with Indiana leadership and crew.

10 Things to Know About USS Indiana (SSN 789)

1. USS Indiana (SSN 789) is the third ship to be named for the State of Indiana. The first was USS Indiana (BB 1), a battle ship that participated in the Spanish – American War. The second was USS Indiana (BB 58), a battle ship that fought in World War II and earned nine battle stars.
2. Fourteen Sailors from USS Indiana (BB 58) attended the christening of the current Indiana. Two of the Sailors in the group were plank owners of BB-58 when it was built in the Newport News Shipyard – the same shipyard that built SSN-789.
3. The ship’s crest depicts various symbols of the Submarine Force and the state of Indiana. It is framed by a gold outline of the state and at the top of the crest there is a torch with stars that are symbols from the state flag. The torch represents liberty and enlightenment; the rays surrounding the torch represent their far-reaching influence. There are nine silver stars on the crest around the torch. These represent the nine battle stars that USS Indiana (BB 58) earned during World War II. The ship’s name and a depiction of the submarine are below the torch. At the bottom of the crest are two ship profiles. These are the silhouettes of the two previous ships to bear the name Indiana. Below the silhouettes are two submarine dolphins, framing a set of gears on the right and a shock of wheat on the left with “SSN 789” in the center. The dolphins are symbols of the Submarine Force and represent the technical prowess and excellence of its officers and enlisted members. The gears and wheat represent the industry and agriculture native to the state of Indiana. Finally, the background of the crest is a checkered flag which represents the famous racing history and culture of Indiana.
4.  Indiana had one of the largest christening ceremonies for a submarine to date. The key note speaker was Vice President Mike Pence, the former governor of the state of Indiana and a long-time supporter of the boat and its crew. Following his speech, Pence took time to reenlist two Indiana Sailors and to promote the supply officer from ensign to lieutenant junior grade. He then met with their families before departing the ceremony.
5. The State of Indiana has a wide ranging manufacturing industry and many of the parts that went into building Indiana were originally made by companies located in its namesake state.
6. SSN-789 was christened on April 29, 2017. BB-58 was commissioned on April 30, 1942. These two ships came to life almost exactly 75 years apart.
7. Indiana utilizes an advanced periscope called a photonics mast. The mast contains a camera that allows many tactical advantages when submerged. Indiana is one of the first boats to use a new and improved joystick controller to maneuver this mast rather than the traditional periscope hydraulic column. This frees up space in the control room and allows multiple individuals to see what the scope sees.
8. The USS Indiana (SSN 789) galley is called the “Brickyard Bistro.” This name is in reference to the racing culture of Indiana, specifically to the finish line at the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway which is called the “Brickyard.”
9. The ship’s motto is “Silent Victors.” The motto comes from a monument to Sailors and veterans in Indianapolis, Indiana. Indianapolis holds more monuments to veterans and/or the armed services than any other city outside of Washington, D.C. This is a physical testimony to the support that Indiana provides to the armed forces of the United States. SSN-789 has certainly felt this support through many visits to the state and opportunities to meet Hoosiers.
10. Sailors onboard SSN-789 are referred to as Hoosiers – just like Indiana natives. A common phrase heard around the boat when completing a mission, a task or a simple meeting is “Hooyah Hoosiers.” The official chant used by the boat is “Indiana Strong! Hoosier Proud! Hooyah Hoosiers!”

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About the Boat

When and where is the commissioning ceremony?
The commissioning ceremony will be held at Port Canaveral, Florida, Sept. 29, 2018.

How many other submarines does the U.S. Navy currently have?
There are currently three classes of SSNs (attack submarines) in service; the Los Angeles, Sea Wolf and Virginia class (50 in total). The Navy also has guided missile submarines and ballistic missile submarines too.

What makes the Virginia class different?
The Virginia-class submarines are better capable to operate in littoral waters. They additionally can be configured to support special operations forces (SOF) by converting a torpedo room into an area for SOF personnel and their equipment. Additionally, diving operations can occur with greater ease due to a large lock-in/lock-out chamber for divers. Block III 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, among other design changes that reduced the submarines’ acquisition cost while maintaining their outstanding warfighting capabilities.

Where was Indiana constructed?
Virginia-class submarines are built under a joint construction contract between General Dynamics’ Electric Boat Division and Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding. GD Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding are the only two U.S. shipyards capable of building nuclear-powered vessels.

When was the keel laid?
May 16, 2015

When was the ship christened?
April 29, 2017

When did PCU Indiana pass the required inspections by the Navy?
Indiana successfully completed the independent Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) trials, which evaluates the submarine’s seaworthiness and operational capabilities. During INSURV trials, the crew took the submarine to test depth and tested the submarine’s propulsion plant and material readiness. The sub was delivered to the Navy on Sept. 21, 2017.

Who is USS Indiana’s sponsor?
Diane Kerr Donald is a native of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and a proud, lifelong Navy spouse. Joining Navy life when she married her husband, Kirkland Donald, a submarine officer at the height of the Cold War, Diane juggled the demands of family and career along with frequent relocations and separations. Ever busy with work and raising daughter, Diane always found time to support Sailors and their families at every duty station.

Diane was a long-serving member of the Submarine Force spouse organizations. She actively supported, organized and ran charity events and projects to raise funds for the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation and other organizations. In 2003, Diane served as president of Dolphin Scholarship Foundation and continued her passionate leadership of an organization dedicated to funding and awarding college scholarships for children of submariners. In following years, she continued as an advocate for Dolphin Scholarship Foundation and the Submarine Force at large, and as a strong supporter for the civilians and Sailors of Naval Reactors.

As an engaged, compassionate, creative and ever supportive Navy spouse, Diane set a worthy example of selfless service and commitment to the Navy and the nation for 37 years.

When was the ship named?
The Secretary of the Navy announced June 25, 2012, that SSN-789, the 16th Virginia-class submarine, would be named after the state of Indiana.

How big is the PCU Indiana?
377 ft. long; 34 ft. wide; approximately 7,800 tons submerged

How fast can the PCU Indiana go?
25+ knots submerged

What history does the USS Indiana name have in the Navy?
The submarine Indiana will be the fourth planned, and third commissioned U.S. Navy vessel to bear the Indiana name. It is the first not designed as a heavy battleship.

• The first USS Indiana (BB 1) first served from 1895-1903, most notably as part of the naval blockade of Santiago Harbor in the Spanish-American War. It was recommissioned from 1906-1914, and again from 1917-1919 primarily as a training platform.
• The keel for a planned Indiana (BB 50) was laid down in 1920, but construction was halted due to the terms of the Washington Treaty for Naval Limitation following World War I, and it was never commissioned.
• USS Indiana (BB 58) was laid in 1939 and launched Nov. 20, 1941, weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor. With work accelerated, the ship commissioned on April 30, 1942, and deployed for the war in the Pacific in November – less than a year after it was launched. A massive South Dakota-class battleship, USS Indiana played a key role in almost every U.S. naval engagement after its arrival. BB-58 earned the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with nine battle stars, the World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Medal with “ASIA” clasp, and the Philippine Liberation Medal with two stars.Indiana’s major campaigns in the Pacific included the Gilbert Islands Campaign, Marshall Islands Campaign, Mariana Islands Campaign and the Great Turkey Shoot, Battle of Iwo Jima, Okinawa Campaign and Preparations for Invasion of Japan. Following Japan’s surrender, Indiana was the first major combatant to return to the U.S., and the last of its class of battleships to be decommissioned in 1947.

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Video

PCU Indiana (SSN 789) Underway

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Photos

Biographies

Boat’s Crest

The ship’s crest depicts various symbols of the Submarine Force and the state of Indiana. It is framed by a gold outline of the state and at the top of the crest there is a torch with stars that are symbols from the state flag. The torch represents liberty and enlightenment; the rays surrounding the torch represent their far-reaching influence. There are nine silver stars on the crest around the torch. These represent the nine battle stars that USS Indiana (BB 58) earned during World War II. The ship’s name and a depiction of the submarine are below the torch. At the bottom of the crest are two ship profiles. These are the silhouettes of the two previous ships to bear the name Indiana. Below the silhouettes are two submarine dolphins, framing a set of gears on the right and a shock of wheat on the left with “SSN 789” in the center. The dolphins are symbols of the Submarine Force and represent the technical prowess and excellence of its officers and enlisted members. The gears and wheat represent the industry and agriculture native to the state of Indiana. Finally, the background of the crest is a checkered flag which represents the famous racing history and culture of Indiana.

History

Evolution of Subs Infographic

The Traditions of Ship Commissionings

Ship Commissionings Infographic

USS Indiana (BB 1)

USS Indiana (BB 50)

USS Indiana (BB 58)

http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2018/09/07/uss-indiana-ssn-789-commissioning/ U.S. Navy