On Saturday, the Hoosier state will have another namesake join the ranks of U.S. Navy warships.
For the first time in more than 70 years, Indiana will have a war ship named after the state. It is also the first submarine.
Costing just under $3 billion, The U.S.S. Indiana is a Virginia-class fast attack submarine. It will be launched during ceremonies this weekend at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia.
According to a release, the commanding officer of the Indiana, Jesse Zimbauer has been touring the state in the past year to raise awareness of Indiana manufacturers that build parts for the Navy’s submarine fleet.
According to the Navy, the first USS Indiana (BB-1) was commissioned in 1895. The battleship served in the
Spanish-American War and was decommissioned in 1919.
USS Indiana (BB-58) was launched sixteen days before the attack on Pearl Harbor and received nine battle stars for its World War II service. She was decommissioned in 1947 and sold for scrap in 1963.
While the Indiana is being launched this weekend, it is expected to undergo more testing and sea trials before actually becoming part of the Navy fleet early next year.
The Virginia-class submarine is nuclear-powered, with missiles and torpedoes. It can be used gather intelligence and deploy Special Forces.