The 12th Virginia-class submarine for the U.S. Navy has been delivered ahead of schedule by Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding.

The John Warner is the eighth Virginia-class Block III ship and the sixth to be constructed by the company. It is named after John Warner, a former U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Navy.

"This submarine embodies the spirit of Sen. Warner and symbolizes his unwavering support for the Navy and the shipyard," said Jim Hughes, Newport News' vice president of submarines and fleet support. "It's truly special to have a boat named after a living person, and we as shipbuilders are proud to deliver John Warner to the Navy because this submarine will continue Sen. Warner's enduring legacy."

"Today, we are excited to join the operational fleet and to bring Senator Warner's legacy back to the Navy, carrying on his tradition of service to our nation," said Cmdr. Dan Caldwell, the submarine's commanding officer. "The crew and the ship have performed exceptionally well during the acceptance trials, and we are prepared and excited to conduct the operational missions which await us."

Virginia-class submarines are 377 feet long and have a submerged speed capability of more than 25 knots.

According to Huntington Ingalls Industries, nearly 4,000 shipbuilders have worked on the submarine since construction began in 2010.

The submarine, which successfully completed the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey trials earlier this month, will be commissioned into service on August 1.