The Virginia, lead ship in a new class of nuclear attack submarines, was christened at Electric Boat's Groton, Conn., shipyard on Aug. 16, 2003.

Thousands of spectators, including EB employees and their families, executives from Virginia-class construction teammate Northrop Grumman Newport News, and Navy personnel, attended.

The Virginia,
91 percent complete as of its christening date, will enter the fleet in 2004. When it does, it will represent a revolution in submarine design, construction and mission capability.