New Mexico christened in N.N.

Only two companies in the nation have the capacity to design and build nuclear submarines. One of them is right here in Hampton Roads. And Saturday, Northrop Grumman-Newport News christened the nation's newest, most advanced nuclear sub - the New Mexico.

The submarine will protect not only national security, but our local economy as well.

The New Mexico is a Virginia Class Submarine built by Virginia's largest industrial employer. A vital product line for Northrup Grumman's, Newport News yard.

For the Navy, the Virginia Class Submarine is the first major combatant, designed to meet the challenges of protecting the nation in a post-Cold War security environment. At the same time, the Virginia Class Program provides some measure of job security for several thousand employees locally.

"Right now, we have just come through preliminary negotiations for the next block of ships, eight more submarines," explained Becky Stewart, Vice President of the Sub Marine Program.

A decade earlier, the company's submarine construction program was in jeopardy.

President of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Mike Petters said, "We went through a ten year period when we were not building these ships. And the Virginia Class Program, the teaming arrangement with Electric Boat, allowed us to reestablish ourselves in the business."

A business of shipbuilding that spans more than a century.

Back in 1891 a submarine name Old Dorothy was delivered to the shipyard. More than a hundred years later the New Mexico is a far cry from this simple boat. Still, there is a common thread that links this vessel with the Nation's newest Virginia Class submarine.

Both were built with pride. With 30-years of shipbuilding experience, Philip McCoy understands the source of that pride.

"We're representing not just this company, we're representing the United States altogether," said McCoy.

It's a responsibility these shipbuilders don't take for granted.

Shipbuilder Brian Sooth told us, "Everyday you have to remind yourself where you're at."

And most of the shipbuilders you talk to say there's no place else they'd rather be.