Electric Boat Gets Repair Contracts for USS Hartford Sub (SSN 768)
May 03, 2010 10:10 EDT
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Now a single, consolidated contract; estimate is $92.1 million price tag. (April 28/10)
On March 20/09, A collision between the improved Los Angeles Class sub USS Hartford [SSN 768], and the amphibious USS New Orleans [LPD-18] in the Strait of Hormuz, slightly injured 15 sailors on board. Both vessels were able to proceed under their own power after the incident, although the New Orleans suffered a ruptured fuel tank, releasing 25,000 gallons of diesel fuel into the strait.
US Navy investigators believe the Hartford rolled approximately 85 degrees during the collision. Despite the roll, the nuclear propulsion plant of the sub was unaffected. However, the Hartford sustained damage to its sail and periscope, as well as the port bow plane. The USS New Orleans required dry dock repairs in Bahrain for the ship’s damaged hull and ballast tanks, and a ruptured fuel tank. The damaged USS Hartford, which was brought back to Submarine Base New London after the collision, is being repaired by General Dynamics’ Electric Boat Corp in Groton, CT, under contracts awarded by the Naval Sea Systems Command at the Washington Navy Yard, DC.
Contracts and Key Events
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Unless otherwise specified, Electric Boat in Groton, CT is the contractor, with contracts managed by the Naval Sea Systems Command at the Washington Navy Yard, DC.
April 28/10: Connecticut’s The Day fixes the expected final cost of repairs:
“The repairs on the Los Angeles-class submarine are under way at Electric Boat, which received the original contract to assess the Hartford and determine what repairs were needed shortly after the submarine returned to Groton in May.
The Navy awarded EB several contracts and recently finalized a single, consolidated contract, Navy spokesman Alan Baribeau said. The work is expected to be completed in November, and the $92.1 million price tag is “in line with estimates,” he added.”
The US Navy found the Hartford’s crew to be wholly at fault for the accident, but it is reviewing its procedures. The story adds that upgraded submarine systems and software that are designed to improve the detection of contacts, will be trialed on the 4th Virginia Class submarine, USS North Carolina [SSN 777]. That boat will then become the baseline for changes that are expected to roll through USA’s submarine fleet.
April 1/10: A $36.6 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-4413) for the complete restoration of USS Hartford (SSN 768) through final fabrication and installation of the hull patch, bridge access trunk, port retractable bow plane and the sail. Selected required maintenance will also be performed. Work will be performed in Groton, CT (85%) and Quonset, RI (15%), and is expected to be complete by November 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $20 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
Aug 5/09: A $65.2 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for installation of a hull patch, bridge access trunk, sail and port retractable bow plane, as well as mandatory corrective maintenance actions required for the repair and restoration of USS Hartford. Work is to be performed in Groton, CT (90%) and Quonset, RI (10%), with an estimated completion date of September 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $32 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured (N00024-09-C-4413).
July 08/09: A $21.6 million modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-G-6321) for off-hull fabrication of the port retractable bow plane, and material procurement and off-hull fabrication of the sail for the USS Hartford. Work is to be performed in Groton, CT (30%) and Quonset Point, RI (70%), with an estimated completion date of January 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $21.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
May 21/09: A $15.8 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for advance planning and off-hull fabrication of the replacement hull patch and bridge access trunk, advance planning, and material procurement for the port retractable bow plane, and advance planning for the sail to restore the USS Hartford to full service condition. Work is to be performed in Quonset Point, RI (70%) and Groton, CT (30%), with an estimated completion date of October 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $15.8 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00024-08-G-6321).
Additional Readings
- General Dynamics’ Electric Boat – Press Releases on the USS Hartford Repair Work
- Marine Log (Aug 05/09) – Repair bill for collision sub soars
- Hartford Currant (July 11/09) – EB To Repair Sub Damaged In Strait
- DID (June 24/09) – LPD-17 San Antonio Class: The USA’s New Amphibious Ships discusses the LPD-18.
- US Navy Release (March 27/09) – USS Hartford, USS New Orleans Undergo Extensive Assessments
- MSNBC (March 20/09) – Nuclear sub collides with amphibious ship
- US Navy Release (March 20/09) – Two U.S. Navy Vessels Collide in the Strait of Hormuz
