NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — The nation’s largest military shipbuilder is set to christen the Virginia-class attack submarine named after former U.S. Sen. John Warner.
Huntington Ingalls Industries is hosting a ceremony Saturday in Newport News.
Warner is set to attend the event. His wife, Jeanne, is the ship’s sponsor and will smash a bottle of sparkling wine across the submarine’s bow.
Warner retired in 2009 after serving 30 years in the U.S. Senate.
The USS John Warner honors the senator’s years of service in the Navy and Marine Corps. He served as Secretary of the Navy before entering politics in 1978.
Warner served half of his Senate career as either the chair or ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The submarine will have enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
