A US Navy spokesperson said on 15/7 that the submarine USS Connecticut is currently in dry dock at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton for maintenance and repairs following the 2021 incident in the South China Sea. "The Connecticut is expected to return to service by the end of 2026," the official said.
The repair and maintenance process began in 2/2023. The Navy initially estimated a 31-month timeline, meaning the USS Connecticut would be back in service by September of this year. However, the new announcement indicates a delay of at least one year.
The Navy did not provide a reason for the delay.
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The USS Connecticut at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton in 2023. Photo: US Navy |
The USS Connecticut at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton in 2023. Photo: US Navy
Overhauling the bow, sonar system, and internal structure presents a significant challenge because the Seawolf class has long been out of production. According to Tyler Rogoway of the US military website War Zone, "In the past, similar damage was often repaired using spare parts or components from decommissioned vessels of the same class. This is not a feasible option in this case,".
The USS Connecticut is one of three Seawolf-class submarines, the world's most expensive attack submarines, with an estimated cost of 8.5 billion USD each. The submarine collided with an uncharted seamount while on patrol in the South China Sea in early 10/2021. The incident injured 11 sailors and forced the submarine to travel on the surface for a week to reach its base in Guam.
The vessel remained in Guam for nearly two months before undertaking a 10,000 km journey back to its home port in Washington state. Images at the time showed the exposed bow, lacking a temporary steel covering after the incident, revealing the sonar compartment.
In 2021, Congress approved an initial 40 million USD for emergency repairs, in addition to 10 million USD to replace the bow dome. However, this amount represents only a fraction of the total repair cost.
The Navy also highlighted the challenges of maintaining the Seawolf-class submarines in its fiscal year 2025 budget proposal. It requested an undisclosed amount of funding to purchase a spare bow dome in case of a similar incident involving another Seawolf-class submarine.
Pham Giang (War Zone)
