KITTERY (AP) — Senators from Maine and New Hampshire say the arrival of a new submarine at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard will usher in a new era for the shipyard team.

The USS Virginia is expected to arrive at the shipyard next October and remain there for maintenance work through April 2012. In a joint statement, Sens. Judd Gregg, Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins and Jeanne Shaheen called the submarine the most modern and innovative underwater warship on patrol today. They said the work done at the shipyard will set the standard for others to follow.

The USS Virginia’s current homeport is Groton, Conn. Moving its 155 officers and crew is expected to boost the economy in Portsmouth, N.H., and York County, Maine, by about $10 million.