The Virginia-class submarine USS Texas, the second of its class and the nation's newest and most advanced nuclear submarine, will likely be stationed in Hawai'i, the Daily Press of Virginia reported.

The 377-foot Texas, expected to cost $2.7 billion, was delivered to the Navy on Tuesday by Northrop Grumman in Newport News, Va. and is expected to be commissioned in September.

Last Saturday saw the christening of USS Hawaii, the third submarine of the class. The Navy has not officially announced the sub's home port, but it is expected to be based at Pearl Harbor. It will be delivered to the Navy early next year.

The eventual arrival of the 7,800-ton Hawai'i — one of up to three of the new subs expected at Pearl Harbor — comes as the Navy prepares to tilt the balance of nuclear submarines from the Atlantic to the Pacific to meet a changing threat.

With it will come a greater ability to deliver commandos close to shore, and more quietly counter the threat of foreign diesel submarines.

Gov. Linda Lingle, the ship's sponsor, on Saturday broke a bottle of champagne over the sub's hull, which is 17 feet longer than the Los Angeles-class submarines at Pearl Harbor. It has a crew of 134.

The Virginia-class submarines have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special-warfare enhancements. The subs have a topside lockout that can accommodate nine Navy SEALs, instead of two on Los Angeles-class subs.

Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Davis, a U.S. Pacific Fleet submarine force spokesman, yesterday said "it's very likely that there will be Virginia-class submarines home-ported here in the future," but no final decisions have been made on either Hawai'i or Texas.

The chief of naval operations finalizes the basing decision, and until then and notification to Congress, "it's just a proposal," Davis said.

Seventeen Los Angeles-class attack submarines are based at Pearl Harbor. The USS Jacksonville is expected to be moved to Hawai'i in mid-2008, and by 2010 — taking into consideration submarine retirements and movements — 18 subs are expected to be based here.

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com.