NEWPORT NEWS, Va., July 19, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- News media are invited to the christening ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine Texas (SSN 775) at Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Newport News sector on Saturday, July 31. Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States, is the ship's sponsor and will christen the ship named for her native state. U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison(R-TX), will be the keynote speaker for the ceremony. The ceremony is not open to the public.
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://media.primezone.com/noc/
Arrangements for media credentials must be made no later than Tuesday, July 27 at 4 p.m. EDT by contacting Jennifer Dellapenta at (757) 380-3558 or by e-mail at Jennifer.Dellapenta@ngc.com. Northrop Grumman will provide a live satellite broadcast of the ceremony in its entirety (downlink information provided below).
This ceremony marks the first submarine christening at Newport News in more than nine years since the company christened the final Los Angeles-class submarine, Cheyenne. Ceremony participants will include Northrop Grumman Newport News President Tom Schievelbein; Secretary of the Navy Gordon England; members of Virginia's congressional delegation; U.S. Navy Admiral and Director of Naval Reactors Frank "Skip" Bowman; Vice Admiral Kirk H. Donald, U.S. Navy; and Electric Boat President John Casey. Invited guests will include Newport News and Electric Boat employees who are building Texas and their families, the pre-commissioning unit of the Texas and their families, U.S. Navy personnel, and government officials.
Named for the lone-star state, Texas is the second ship of the Virginia class and one of the first warships designed for the post-Cold War environment. With improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements, it will provide undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. The keel for Texas was laid on July 12, 2002 and it is schedule to be delivered to the Navy in 2005. Northrop Grumman Newport News is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build the first 10 ships of the Virginia class.
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Satellite Information
Northrop Grumman Newport News will provide a live, multi-camera, analog satellite broadcast of the ceremony in its entirety on July 31. Details are as follows:
Time: 10:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Satellite: IA6 formerly known as Telstar 6 Transponder: 3Uku known as 3 Upper KU band (analog) Downlink: 1805.5 Vertical
Media Schedule
There are two opportunities for media to cover this event. All times listed are EDT.
Media Preview Day July 30, 2004 10 - 11 a.m.
Northrop Grumman Newport News will host a special media preview Friday, July 30 at 10 a.m. This is an opportunity to preview the ceremony site, photograph/film ceremony preparations and talk with shipyard executives, employees and the Prospective Commanding Officer for Texas, Cmdr. John Litherland.
The schedule for July 30 is as follows:
9:30 a.m. News media meet in lobby of Building 520 for check-in and badging (corner of 41st and Washington Avenue; park in Visitor's Parking Area) 9:50 a.m. Media bused to the site of the Texas christening ceremony 10 - 11 a.m. Photo and interview opportunities 11 a.m. News media depart ceremony site Christening Ceremony July 31, 2004 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (media must arrive by 10:15 a.m.) 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. News media meet in the shipyard's North Yard parking lot for check-in and credentialing (Take the ramp down into the shipyard at Huntington Avenue and 64th Street and follow media parking signs.) 10:15 a.m. Last media bus leaves for the site of the Texas christening ceremony 11:00 a.m. Texas Christening Ceremony begins 12:15 p.m. Ceremony ends; media availability with platform participants who wish to participate will follow the ceremony 12:30 p.m. News media depart ceremony site
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If you are interested in attending either the July 30 Media Preview Day or the July 31 Christening Ceremony, or both, please contact Jennifer Dellapenta at (757)380-3558 or Jennifer.Dellapenta@ngc.com.Arrangements for media credentials must be made no later than Tuesday, July 27 at 4 p.m. EDT. Please have the following information available when you call or e-mail:
-- Names of media persons attending and their role (reporter or
photographer)
-- Date and place of birth
-- Social security number
-- Name of news agency
Northrop Grumman Newport News, headquartered in Newport News, Va., is the nation's sole designer, builder, and refueler of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and one of only two companies capable of designing and building nuclear powered submarines. Newport News also provides after-market services for a wide array of naval and commercial vessels. The Newport News sector employs about 19,000 people.
