Norfolk, Va. - The Navy's newest nuclear-powered submarine was commissioned on Saturday, making the USS California the eighth Virginia-class sub in the fleet.

Virginia-class submarines are the Navy's most modern subs. They have capabilities that allow them to perform better in shallow water than other subs and have special features to help them support special forces.

The California cost about $2.3 billion to build and was delivered more than eight months ahead of schedule by Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. Another six Virginia-class submarines are under construction and another four are under contract, with Newport News Shipbuilding and Groton, Conn.-based Electric Boat taking turns delivering the subs.

Cmdr. Dana Nelson, a Clinton, Conn., native, is the ship's commanding officer.

The California will be home ported at Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut. Each of the Virginia-class subs is stationed in either Connecticut or Hawaii. In total, the Navy has 72 submarines in its fleet.

- Associated Press