Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

United States Navy, “Virginia” class “New Mexico” attack submarine

According to Defense News September 3, 2009 September 3, U.S. Navy, said, “Virginia” class nuclear attack submarines, “New Mexico” number of service ceremony has been postponed to next year. Northrop Grumman will build the submarine torpedo compartment in the problems in the repair,

“Virginia” class nuclear attack submarines of project leader Jabaley said the discovery of four nuclear submarines there are construction problems, Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard and Naval Sea Systems Command will continue to investigate the matter. The “North Carolina” was already in service, but is still located in Groton, Conn., General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard. Other two problematic submarine “Missouri” and “California” was currently are under construction. Another one has been in service submarine “New Hampshire” was not found problems.

Currently, the most intense schedule is “New Mexico” submarine, the boat has completed 99% plans delivered to the Navy on September 30 and November 21 in Norfolk, Virginia, held service ceremony. However, according to Northrop Grumman and the Navy estimated that completion of “New Mexico” submarine repair work takes about five weeks, the latest planned delivery date is November 12, there is not enough time to ensure that the submarine in the 21st number ready.

Jabaley said: “We believe that service to postpone the ceremony was very cautious, we want to deliver to time and service time interval between two to three month’s time, so the crew can during this time familiar with operations at sea, in the process. “Thanksgiving is one of the factors leading to delay the ceremony, has not yet determined the specific delivery time, but according to Jabaley said, probably in January or February.

Nevertheless, Newport News shipyard is still hard in the contract for the delivery date April 30, 2010 prior to completion ahead of schedule delivery of the submarine is to reduce the “Virginia” class submarine is an important factor in the cost of , Electric Boat and Newport News Shipyard with the construction of “Virginia” class submarines, and in turn complete the assembly, and, Electric Boat has delivered ahead of two submarines.

“New Mexico” was a shipyard in Newport News to complete the third ship “Virginia” class submarine, hope it can advance into one of the shipyard delivered the first submarine. Company spokesman Margaret Mitchell – Jones said: “Northrop Grumman understands and supports the U.S. Navy ‘New Mexico’ submarine service ceremony of the decision be postponed until early 2010 to complete the construction and maintenance work and we are very serious about our work quality and product quality, has begun to improve the engineering division of Northrop Grumman naval construction, manufacturing and quality systems, we strive to complete the ‘New Mexico’ submarine construction, and hope to deliver a very good to the Navy the submarine. “

General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard workers in early August found that” Missouri “submarine weapon bolt operating system problems, Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard is responsible for the construction of all” Virginia “sub-class submarine weapon compartment as” Virginia “class submarine project’s main contractor, Electric Boat in the August 6 briefing to the Navy of the problem.

Jabaley said security bolt problem does not exist. He said: “Just because of the strong vibration in (a mine or a torpedo explosion at close range) caused a strong force of circumstances will the operational problems, under normal operating conditions without any problems.” Bolts or “button” is an engineering term, large-scale weapons bay of the submarine rails together, “Virginia” class submarine weapon uses a unique operating system, will be placed in the bracket arms, to move by rail.

Electric Boat Company engineers found that some rail line is not correct, through its follow-up analysis found that the problem from the bolt, the U.S. Navy on August 19, said in a written statement: “Shipbuilding Engineers found that the bolt hole drilling and machinery are not correct, incorrect processing of the bolt, making the installation problems. “

for this problem, the Navy said in a statement” may be due to improper adjustment of weapons to operate the equipment , so that may make weapons stand in the torpedo compartment can not be moved, the vibration may occur in the case, the threat of weapons of the operating system integrity. “Jabaley that each submarine weapons bay, about 340 bolts a preliminary examination. Jabaley said: “Currently, we have expanded to examine other parts of the submarine, in the whole range of boats, has completed more than 900 around the bolt check.” Although “New Mexico” submarine delivery time has been delayed, other submarines hope it will not delay their completion time. Jabaley said: “The other submarines in other work when the work done.”

“New Mexico” was the crew on July 28 officially registered boats in the maintenance period will not leave boat maintenance work carried out mainly in the torpedo compartment, no impact on the living, the submarine is functioning.

Jabaley said: Northrop Grumman and the Navy continue to investigate this issue, will the current fleet of four “Virginia” class submarines to be checked. He said: “We hope a lot of time in two weeks to complete this process, the delivery of submarines to our inspection.” (China Shipping Information Center YANG Sook)