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Released by OASD(PA):
                                        (703) 697-5342 (Info)
                                        (703) 697-3189 (Copies)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE    November 4, 1993   (703) 697-5737            
                                              (Public/Industry)  
                                             
   NAVY TO COMMISSION NUCLEAR-POWERED ATTACK SUBMARINE HAMPTON
                            (SSN 767)

    The Department of the Navy will commission the nuclear-powered
attack submarine USS Hampton (SSN 767) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday,
November 6, 1993, at Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News,
Virginia.

    Senator Strom Thurmond will be the ceremony's principal
speaker.  Ms. Laura Bateman, wife of Representative Herbert
Bateman, is the ship's sponsor.

     Hampton is named in honor of the cities in Virginia, South
Carolina, Iowa and New Hampshire, and is the fourth ship to carry
this name.  The first was a tug.  The second was a subchaser (PCS
1368) named after the town in South Carolina.  The third was an
amphibious transport (APA 115), named after the county in South
Carolina.  All three ships served in World War II.

     Attack submarines, with their inherent stealth, endurance and
flexibility contribute greatly to the U.S. Navy's overall force
structure.  Submarines are a vital part of the Navy's new doctrine
"...From the Sea," bringing to bear proven shallow water
operational capabilities, including:  mine warfare; covert coastal
surveillance and intelligence gathering; operations with special
forces; and combat search and rescue.  Further, the submarines
ability to strike targets at, below and beyond the water's surface
make it a potent asset in the Navy's arsenal.

     The ship is equipped with the Tomahawk cruise missile system,
giving her a significant land attack and strike capability.
Hampton is one of an improved version of the Los Angeles class,
having a hardened sail and retractable bow planes for surfacing
through the ice during Arctic missions.

     Hampton is the 54th Los Angles class submarine to be
commissioned into the U.S. fleet.  Overall, 62 are authorized for
construction by Congress.  The submarine is 360 feet in length, has
a beam of 33 feet and displaces approximately 6,900 tons submerged.
Hampton will carry a crew of 127 enlisted personnel and 14
officers.  Commander David J. Antanitus, U.S. Navy, a native of
LaSalle, Illinois, is the prospective commanding officer.
                               -USN-