Michelle Obama Coming to Groton This Weekend

A christening for the U.S. Navy’s newest submarine will take place on Saturday, Oct. 10, at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton.

First Lady Michelle Obama will christen Illinois (SSN-786), the U.S. Navy’s newest and most advanced nuclear attack submarine, according to a press release from General Dynamics.

Obama is the ship’s sponsor and participated in the keel laying of the Illinois in 2014. The christening’s principal speaker is Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.

Attendance to the ceremony is by invite only. Those interested in watching the christening may watch a live feed here.

Webcast coverage will begin Saturday at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at approximately 12:15 p.m. The program will be available for on-demand replay for one week, beginning at approximately 2:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday.

The submarine Illinois is the 13th ship of the Virginia class, the first U.S. Navy combatants designed for the post-Cold War era. Unobtrusive, non-provocative and connected with land, air, sea and space-based assets, Illinois and the other Virginia-class submarines are equipped to wage multi-dimensional warfare around the globe, providing the U.S. Navy with continued dominance in coastal waters or the open ocean.

With its construction partner Newport News Shipbuilding, Electric Boat has delivered 12 Virginia-class submarines; another nine are under construction.

Visit the Electric Boat website for more information about the christening.

Photo: Electric Boat