USS Arkansas Christened on Pearl Harbor Anniversary

The USS Arkansas (SSN 800), a Virginia-class attack submarine, was christened on December 7, 2024, at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. The ceremony honored the Little Rock Nine, a group of African American students who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957, with Carlotta Walls LaNier performing the traditional bottle-breaking. The submarine's sponsorship by the six women of the Little Rock Nine pays tribute to their courage and resilience, which aligns with the vessel's mission. This event also coincides with the 83rd anniversary of Pearl Harbor, underscoring the significance of military legacy and readiness. The Arkansas is the 27th Virginia-class submarine and the 13th from Newport News, illustrating HII's shipbuilding prowess. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro praised the submarine's capabilities and the symbolic strength of its sponsors.