Media Advisory: HII's Newport News Shipbuilding to Christen Arkansas (SSN 800)

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

What:	HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division will christen the Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) on Saturday, Dec. 7.This event is NOT open to the public but will be livestreamed: www.HII.com/SSN800. Media members are invited to the event and to visit the site Friday, Dec. 6 in advance of the ceremony.
Who:	The media preview day on Friday, Dec. 6 will provide an opportunity to speak with NNS and Navy leadership regarding their participation in the event, as well as Arkansas shipbuilders and the submarine's sponsors, members of the Little Rock Nine.
When:	Media preview day
	Friday, Dec. 6
	10:00 a.m.
	Media check-in: 9:15 a.m.
	Christening ceremony
	Saturday, Dec. 7
	11 a.m.
	Media check-in: 10:00 a.m.
Where:	Media will park at VASCIC (2401 West Avenue, Newport News, Virginia 23607) both days and be escorted and transported by bus to and from the event site. See directions below.
RSVP:	Confirmation of media attendance is required. Please RSVP by noon on Wednesday, Dec. 4. You must present a photo ID and be a U.S. citizen to be admitted to the events. Please RSVP to:
	Todd Corillo
	[email protected]
	(757) 688-3220
	Please note that because this is an industrial setting, long pants and flat, sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required.
Details:	Arkansas is the 27th Virginia-class submarine. Virginia-class submarines are the most advanced attack submarines in the world. The advanced capabilities of these ships increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth. NNS is one of only two shipyards capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines for the U.S. Navy.
	A webcast of the Saturday ceremony will be provided at www.HII.com/SSN800.
	Directions to media parking:
	• From West Avenue, turn into the VASCIC complex at the sign.
	• For media preview day on Dec. 6, follow this road past the main entrance doors of VASCIC (on your right) and into the parking garage. Upon entering the parking garage, marked spaces will be reserved for media on the left.
	• For ceremony day on Dec. 7, please park in the exterior visitor spaces on both sides immediately in front of the VASCIC building.

About HII

HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HII's mission is to deliver the world's most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.

As the nation's largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII's workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit:

• HII on the web: https://www.hii.com/
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