Stars & Stripes | December 11, 2025

The keel was laid this week for the future USS Barb, the 31st Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, as the Navy continues to transition away from dependence on the Cold War-era Los Angeles-class attack submarines.

Under Navy tradition, a woman is named the sponsor of new ships and submarines. Bove is married to Thomas Bove, the grandson of Rear Adm. Eugene “Lucky” Fluckey, who served as commander of the first USS Barb, a highly decorated World War II submarine. Read Full Story.