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Navy Says New Attack Submarine to be Named USS Montana

One of 10 planned Virginia-class submarines to be built over the next decade

By Molly Priddy

BILLINGS — One of the U.S. Navy’s new attack submarines will be named the USS Montana.

Navy Secretary Ray Maubs announced the designation for one of 10 planned Virginia-class submarines to be built over the next decade during a Wednesday ceremony in Billings. Montana U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, Gov. Steve Bullock and Billings Mayor Tom Hanel also attended.

The 377-foot-long USS Montana will cost an estimated $2 billion.

The last ship named in honor of the landlocked Treasure State was an armored cruiser commissioned in 1908. But that ship was later renamed, to the Missoula, and two subsequent attempts to name ships after Montana fell short.

Tester says it was gratifying to see it finally happen after working since 2007 to have a ship named after the state.

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