Feature 2 | US Navy
All the converted Ohio (SSBN 726) although the first Ohio will not be paid Work continues on amphibious warfare
ballistic submarines, converted to off until 2029. programmes with the first of the LHA 6
land-attack/special operations ships, Interestingly, General Dynamics’ class amphibious assault ships being laid
have joined the fleet but their special Electric Boat Corporation has received down, whilst the last of the Wasp (LHD
operations capability may be hindered a US$75.6 million contract for 1) class, USS Makin Island (LHD 8), is
by an accident that occurred in Pearl engineering, technical services, concept nearing completion and work continues
Harbour during November. The first studies, and design of a Common on the San Antonio (LPD 17) class dock
Advanced SEAL Delivery Vehicle Missile Compartment (CMC) for both landing ships. All are being produced
(ASDS-1) was having its lithium-ion SSBN (X) and for the new UK ballistic by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding
batteries charged before deployment missile submarine. The first phase but some concern is being expressed
in USS Michigan (SSGN 727) during will be completed in December 2009 about the quality of workmanship in
December, when an explosion started a but there are options to extend this by these vessels.
fire that burned for about six hours. four years, raising the contract value to Widespread wiring problems were
In 2006, the US Special Operations nearly US$592 million. discovered in USS Makin Island,
Command cancelled purchases of The last of the Nimitz (CVN 68) class delaying completion and delivery
additional vehicles, but programme carriers, USS George H W Bush (CVN slipped several months to 15 May with
officials had hoped a successful 77), was commissioned on 10 January, commissioning on 24 October. Worse
deployment could revive the although construction had slipped. still the maiden deployment of USS San
programme. However, a request for Normally ships are commissioned after Antonio came to an abrupt halt when an
information has now been issued trials but with the new carrier only 97% engine room oil leak forced the vessel
for a replacement vehicle, the Joint complete, and her name commemorating into a Bahrain shipyard for repairs. Poor
Multi-Mission Submarine (JMMS), President George W Bush’s father, welds and joints caused the problem
which is to achieve an Initial Operating the ceremonial was accelerated to in which affected two of the four engines
Capability in FY2016. order to precede the inauguration of in the forward and aft machinery rooms
The US Navy, like the UK, has a President Obama. and a repair team had to replace whole
replacement ballistic submarine, SSBN Contracts have now been placed for sections of pipes and joints as well as
(X), programme in the pipeline. There long-lead items for the first of the CVN reinforcing pipe support.
are still no details available, but it is 21 carriers, USS Gerald R Ford (CVN The ship returned to operations
known the US Navy plans to maintain a 78), which will be laid down next year, after two weeks but problems were
fleet of 14 SSBN and to begin replacing with at least two sister ships planned also encountered in the engine room
the remaining Ohios from FY2019, by 2023. of the second ship, USS New Orleans
At the time of writing, the last of the Wasp (LHD 1) class, USS Makin Island (LHD 8), was nearing completion.
18 Warship Technology March 2009
WT_Mar09_p16+17+18+20.indd 3 3/4/09 9:37:35 PM
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