USS New Mexico ( SSN - 779 ) USS " New Mexico " ( SSN - 779 ) , a , is the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the 47th state . Construction . The contract to build her was awarded to Northrop Grumman Newport News in Newport News , Virginia on 14 August 2003 . She is the Navy ' s sixth " Virginia " - class submarine , has one million parts and 140 shipboard systems . The sub was built by a joint agreement between General Dynamics Electric Boat ( GDEB ) and Northrop Grumman Newport News ( NGNN ) . Construction began in January 2004 at the Electric Boat Corporation , Groton , Connecticut and Quonset Point , Rhode Island facilities , for the construction of the straight sections . The individual components were shipped to Newport News for final assembly . Her keel was laid down on 12 April 2008 , and on 18 May 2008 the final hull welds were completed . She was christened on 13 December 2008 , with Cindy Giambastiani ( wife of Adm . Edmund Giambastiani ) the boat ' s sponsor , and Representative Heather Wilson ( 1st District - New Mexico ) the keynote speaker . The boat was launched on 18 January 2009 and was originally scheduled for delivery in August 2009 . The date of delivery was pushed back to November and the scheduled commissioning date was postponed to early 2010 after mechanical problems were found with her torpedo room weapons - handling system . New Mexico completed builder ' s trials at the end of November 2009 and was delivered on 29 December 2009 , four months ahead of the contract delivery date . She was commissioned on 27 March 2010 . USS New Mexico is currently homeported in Groton , Connecticut at Naval Submarine Base New London . Command . Commander Mark A . Prokopius assumed command of " New Mexico " following her placement in active service on 27 March 2010 . Currently Commander George Perez Jr . is the boat ' s Commanding Officer after relieving in October 2010 . Operational history . In February 2012 , " New Mexico " rendezvoused with the Royal Navy submarine HMS " Astute " underwater in the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center in the Bahamas for a series of war games . Present on - board each submarine were the head of the Royal Navy , Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope and the head of the United States Navy , Admiral Jonathan W . Greenert in a historic underwater meeting between the leaders of both navies . Ship ' s crest . The crest of " New Mexico " was designed by Emilee Sena , a senior at St . Pius X High School in Albuquerque , New Mexico . Her winning design was chosen by the crew of the " New Mexico " out of 180 submitted from schools throughout the state . The design incorporates an image of a New Mexico sunset , representing the beauty that makes New Mexico the " " Land of Enchantment " " . The Sandia Mountains are shown at the time of the day when they demonstrate why they are called the Sandias – their pink shade . The red in the upper right corner represents the red in the US flag , symbolizing valor and the blood that has been sacrificed in battle . The blue in the lower left corner represents the blue of the American flag , symbolizing justice , vigilance , and perseverance . The Zia symbol represents the state flag , as well as the prominence of the sun in New Mexico . The shape of the emblem is unique because it reflects the influence of the Native American people in New Mexico , the shape is a design that can be commonly found in Native American art , such as blankets and pots . The naval dolphins on the sides are symbols for naval submarines . They shine with a white color because they represent the white on the American flag . This color symbolizes purity and innocence . The submarine in the center represents what the USS " New Mexico " is – a " Virginia " - class submarine . It has a bow wave in front of it because it is in motion . The people on top of the ship are naval officers , holding a flag . The bird along the hull is a roadrunner ( Geococcyx ) , the state bird of New Mexico , known as a fast , agile , and fearless hunter . The gold in the border symbolizes courage , prosperity , wisdom , and confidence : perceived qualities for members of the Navy . There is a nuclear symbol in the bottom left corner for two purposes , one to represent that the " Virginia " - class submarines are nuclear submarines and that a lot of nuclear development has taken place in New Mexico at Sandia National Laboratories ( SNL ) and Los Alamos National Laboratory ( LANL ) , and so this honors the people that have , and will contribute to the growth of nuclear advancements . In honor of those who serve aboard the " New Mexico " , the football players of New Mexico State University wore the crest on the back of their helmets for the 2010 football season . References . This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register and various press releases .