Groton manufacturer Electric Boat said it has marked the start of construction on a new submarine that is part of its $17.6 billion U.S. Navy contract awarded last year.
The USS Colorado is the 15th ship in the Virginia Class, and is one of 10 Electric Boat will build under its massive Navy contract.
The company held a customary keel-laying ceremony on Saturday at its facility in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. The ship will mean work for thousands of shipbuilders in Groton, Rhode Island, as well as around the country, the company said.
The contracted delivery date for 7,800-ton vessel is Aug. 2017.
