- The nation’s newest and most advanced nuclear-powered submarine, the Texas (SSN 775), will be officially commissioned Sat., Sept. 9, during special ceremonies in Galveston, marking the fourth Navy vessel to bear the name of the Lone Star State and the most advanced submarine of its type in the world. Texas is the second ship of the Virginia submarine class and is the first sub delivered by Northrop Grumman since 1996. Northrop Grumman is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build the first 10 ships of the Virginia class. Current plans call for 30 Virginia-class submarines in the fleet. Using millions of parts from over 4,000 suppliers in 47 states and the District of Columbia, Virginia-class submarines incorporate dozens of new technologies and innovations and are the first major combatants designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind. Texans have good reason to be proud of the Navy ships named in her honor. It all started with the CSS Texas, a 217-foot long ironclad ram being built by the Confederate State of America, launched at Richmond, Virginia, in January 1865. She was still fitting out when Federal forces captured the Confederate capital city in April 1865. The incomplete Texas was captured and taken to the Norfolk Navy Yard where she was sold in October 1867. Twenty years later the USS TEXAS, the United States' first battleship, was commissioned. This TEXAS took part in the bombardment of the fortress on Cayo del Tore, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in concert with USS MARBLEHEAD. She also took a very active part in the Battle of Santiago. Authorized by the U.S. Congress on August 3, 1886, she was built from English plans developed as a result of a design competition. The prize for the winning design was $15,000. The ship was built at the U. S. Navy yards at Norfolk, Virginia and commissioned on August 15, 1895, becoming the first bonified United States Battleship. In 1914 a new USS TEXAS was commissioned and took to the seas to "protect and serve," a state-of-the-art massive battleship that would go on to serve Allied troops at the invasion of Normandy on D-Day. Decommissioned in 1948, she became the first battleship memorial museum in the U.S. That same year, on the anniversary of Texas Independence, the Texas was presented to the State of Texas and commissioned as the flagship of the Texas Navy. This version of the Texas proudly flies the Flag of Admiral of the Navy Chester W. Nimitz, a Fredericksburg-born Texas native and Naval commander of the U.S. Fleet in the Pacific War campaign of World War II. The Texas (BB-35) is permanently berthed at the San Jacinto Battlegrounds near Houston and is open as a museum to Texas travelers. The new TEXAS (SSN775) represents the most modern submarine class in the world. Power Plant: One nuclear reactor, one shaft Length: 377 feet (114.91 meters) Beam: 34 feet (10.36 meters) Displacement: Approx. 7,800 tons (7,925.18 metric tons) Speed: 25+ knots (28+ miles per hour, 46.3+ kph) Crew: 134 Officers and Enlisted Armament: Tomahawk missiles, VLS tubes, MK-48 torpedoes, four torpedo tubes, advanced mobile mines, and unmanned undersea vehicle. “It was great to be at sea on the Texas,” said Capt. John Litherland, prospective commanding officer of the pre-commissioning unit Texas. “She is a magnificent machine and a proud testimony to the dedicated efforts of the shipbuilders here at Northrop Grumman Newport News and their partner, Electric Boat.” All eyes will be on Galveston's Pier 10 Sat., Sept. 9, for commissioning ceremonies. The official Commissioning Committee includes: Chairman - Marshall Cloyd Vice Chairman for Texas - Swede Andersen Vice Chairman for Galveston - Harry Brown Vice Chairman for Finance - Arthur "Buzz" Gralla Vice Chairman for Military - Joe Coleman Vice Chairman for Invitations - Clint Gosse