Newport News Shipbuilding
USS "California" (SSN-781), is the eighth , and the seventh United States Navy ship named for the state of California. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding (then called Newport News Shipbuilding &amp; Drydock Co.) in Newport News, Virginia, on 14 August 2003. Construction began in December 2006. "California"s keel was laid down on 1 May 2009.