The Honorable David Denton, General Counsel of the Navy, delivered the principal address at the ceremony. Additional speakers included Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Adm. William Houston, U.S. Representative Seth Moulton, and Kari Wilkinson, president of Newport News Shipbuilding.
The submarine’s sponsor, Sheryl Sandberg, gave the traditional order to bring the ship to life. “Man our ship and bring her to life,” she said, as the crew formally placed the vessel into service.
Massachusetts is the eighth U.S. Navy vessel to carry the state’s name, continuing a lineage dating back to the early 1790s. The previous ship, the battleship USS Massachusetts (BB 59), served extensively during World War II and earned 11 battle stars before being decommissioned in 1947.
The submarine is the seventh Block IV Virginia-class vessel built under a partnership between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding. It was christened at the Newport News shipyard in Virginia on May 6, 2023.
Officials said the submarine adds significant warfighting capability to the fleet, including advanced stealth and surveillance systems. Virginia-class submarines are designed to support a wide range of missions, including intelligence gathering and special operations.
Each submarine of the class displaces about 7,800 tons and measures 377 feet in length, with a beam of 34 feet. Its nuclear reactor is designed to operate for the life of the ship without refueling, reducing costs and increasing operational availability.
The commissioning underscores the Navy’s broader effort to maintain a modern and ready fleet. Officials said the addition of Massachusetts supports sustained global operations and reinforces U.S. naval capability.
