YOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 3, 2010) The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Hawaii (SSN 776) transits Tokyo Bay on the way to Fleet Activities Yokosuka, marking the very first time in the history of the U.S. 7th Fleet that a Virginia-class submarine visited the region. This is Hawaii's first scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Lara Bollinger/Released

Courtesy Navy NewsStand.

From Naval Sea Systems Command Team Submarine Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) — The Virginia-class submarine program reached a significant benchmark with the approval of Milestone III, authorization of full-rate production and the declaration of full operational capability Sept. 3.

Milestone III and full-rate production approval for the Acquisition Category ID Program came with the signing of the Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) by the under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.

The achievement of this major acquisition milestone allows the program to continue construction of the submarine class beyond the established low-rate initial production of 14 submarines through the remainder of the class. Continued…