Attack submarine USS Delaware joins U.S. Navy fleet

Named after the great state of Delaware, the United States Navy commissioned its 18th Virginia-class attack submarine April 4.

According to a press release issued April 4, the USS Delaware submarine is 377 feet long, has a 34-foot beam, can dive to depths greater than 800 feet and can operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots while submerged. Nuclear-powered, the USS Delaware will operate for over 30 years without ever refueling.

This is the first time in nearly 100 years the name Delaware has been used for a Navy vessel. It is the seventh ship, and first submarine, to bear the name of the state. The keel was laid in April 2016, and was christened during a ceremony in October 2018. It is the final Block III Virginia-class submarine, before the next wave of Block IV deliveries.

U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, Delaware’s senior senator and a 23-year veteran of the Navy, congratulated the submarine’s crew in a prepared statement April 4.

“Ever since I started working on getting a submarine named after Delaware, I’ve said this submarine represents hope. And that’s exactly what our state, our country, and our world needs right now,” said Carper.

Dr. Jill Biden, the ship’s sponsor, offered congratulations to everyone who played a role in delivering USS Delaware to service.

“I know this submarine and her crew of courageous sailors will carry the steadfast strength of my home state wherever they go,” said Biden, in a prepared statement.

The Delaware’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Matthew Horton, said the commissioning is the culmination of six years of hard work to construct a submarine warship.

The USS Delaware is a flexible, multimission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.

The traditional public commissioning ceremony was canceled due to public health safety and restrictions of large public gatherings, but according to the press release, the Navy is looking at a future opportunity to commemorate the special event with the ship’s sponsor, crew and commissioning committee.

Carper said he is hopeful the USS Delaware will be back later this year for a real celebration.

“Until then,” he said, “I salute the sailors serving aboard the USS Delaware and their loved ones who support them in their mission.”