Image source: topwar.ru
This is a touching but instructive story about effective American managers and an advanced shipbuilding and repair system. The Columbus (SSN 762) class of Los Angeles, completed its last operational deployment in September 2017 and came to the shipyard in Newport News for repairs. It was assumed that by August 2019, the shipyard's specialists would provide maintenance and restoration of the submarine hull structure, tanks, propulsion systems, auxiliary systems, weapons, internal environment, as well as carry out other improvements to the submarine. The contract value is $219 million.
In March 2021, Huntington Ingalls Industries received an additional contract worth $194.5 million to complete the overhaul and modernization of the Columbus multipurpose nuclear submarine. The repair and transfer of the boat to the fleet were to take place in December 2022. But the miracle did not happen, the boat remains under repair, and it is not completed.
And yesterday, I'm not afraid of this word, "stunning" news. The US Navy, on April 24, signed an additional contract for $115 million with HII Newport News Shipbuilding to continue the repair of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Columbus (SSN 762). In total, over six years, $ 837,657,042 was spent on repairing a thirty-year-old submarine. At the same time, it remains unclear whether the repair of the submarine will be completed in December of this year or additional changes will follow in the contract for financing repairs and maintenance. It is also very interesting what kind of work has been carried out in such a time and for such money. A little more, and the amount will reach the cost of the new "Virginia".
