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The following ws released by the Office of the Assistant to the
Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs):
                                           No. 140-94
                                           (703)697-5342(media)
                                           (703)697-3189(copies)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE      MARCH 17, 1994      (703)697-5737(public/
                                                       industry)

     NAVY ANNOUNCES CHRISTENING OF NUCLEAR-POWERED ATTACK
                   SUBMARINE TUCSON (SSN 770)

     A christening ceremony for the U.S. Navy's newest Los
Angeles class attack submarine, USS Tucson (SSN 770), will be
held at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Newport
News, Virginia, on Saturday, March 19, 1994, commencing at 11
a.m.  As the sponsor for the ship, Diane Kent Cann, wife of
former Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Gerald Cann, will break a
bottle of champagne over the bow and formally name the ship.

     Representative Jim Kolbe will be the ceremony's principal
speaker.

     Tucson is named in honor of the Arizona city.  One previous
ship has borne this name, a light cruiser (CL 98) which earned a
battle star for service in the Pacific during 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
"...From the Sea" doctrine, 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 submarine's
ability to strike targets at, below and beyond the water's
surface make it a potent asset in the nation's arsenal.

     Tucson is the 56th of 62 Los Angeles class submarines
authorized for construction by Congress.  The ship is equipped
with the Tomahawk cruise missile system, giving it a significant
land attack and strike capability.  Tucson 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.

     Tucson is 360 feet in length, has a beam of 33 feet and
displaces approximately 6,900 tons submerged.  The ship will
carry a crew of 127 enlisted personnel and 14 officers.
                               -USN-