SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A $2.6 billion submarine named for the state of South Dakota is getting ready to join the U.S. Navy fleet.
The 377-foot (115-meter) USS South Dakota will be commissioned on Feb. 2 at the Navy base in Groton, Connecticut, the Argus Leader reported . The vessel will be the 17th Virginia-class attack submarine to join the fleet and the first submarine to be commissioned with the name South Dakota.
The submarine force's primary role is to stay forward-deployed, undetected and ready to deliver a warfighting capability when needed, said Craig Liddy, the ship's commanding officer, in a video interview released by the Department of Defense.
