USS New Mexico christened

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) - The Navy has christened its sixth Virginia-class nuclear submarine.

The New Mexico was christened Saturday at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Newport News by officials from the Navy, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics Electric Boat.

The 377-foot-long, $2.3 billion fast-attack submarine is scheduled to be handed over to the Navy in August, eight months ahead of schedule.

The Navy has a multibillion-dollar plan to replace Los Angeles-class submarines with 30 Virginia-class subs. The first 10 Virginia-class subs are constructed under a joint arrangement between Northrop Grumman and Connecticut-based Electric Boat.