The Virginian-Pilot
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The commissioning of the New Mexico, a Virginia-class attack submarine, has been pushed back to early next year because of mechanical quality issues in its torpedo room weapons-handling system, the Navy announced Thursday.
The date of the commissioning, planned to be held in Norfolk, has been moved from Nov. 21 to sometime in early 2010.
The issues that prompted the delay are like those found aboard the Missouri, another Virginia-class submarine, in early August, the Navy said.
"New Mexico's weapons handling has improperly machined fasteners, fastener holes and fasteners that had not been tightened to specifications," according to an e-mail from the Navy.
The New Mexico and the Missouri are among four Virginia-class submarines affected by the weapons-handling system issues, according to Alan Baribeau, a spokesman with Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington.
The others are the North Carolina, which has already been commissioned and delivered to the Navy but not yet deployed, and the California, which, like the Missouri, is still being built, Baribeau said.
"We want to take the time to make sure we get it right and assure that quality and safety remain at the forefront," he said.
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Newport News builds all of the weapons-handling systems for the Virginia-class submarines, which are constructed in sections by Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn.
The New Mexico, the sixth sub in the Virginia class, had been on track for delivery to the Navy this month, well before the contracted delivery date in April 2010, the Navy said.
The repair work required to address the issues with the fasteners will delay delivery into November at least, according to the Navy's e-mail.
The new commissioning date is expected to be announced by the secretary of the Navy in the coming weeks.
Robert McCabe, (757) 446-2327, robert.mccabe@pilotonline.com
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Naval Sea Systems Command strikes again!
Senator Webb/GAO perhaps you need to expand your investigation of NAVSEA. NAVSEA doesn't seem to be able to fulfill their mission to "develop, deliver and maintain ships and systems on time, on cost for the United States Navy." It's not like they're buying lemons from a ship dealer--they have their hands in the entire process. Their involvement doesn't seem to be working very well at all. Submarines, the USS SAN ANTONIO, the need to abandon the special ops mini-submarine program, etc. One failure after another. How long will Congress allow this apparently flawed process to continue at taxpayer's expense? A thorough review by Congress and TOP Navy oversight appears necessary based on what NAVSEA tells the public in press releases. What else is going on with NAVSEA that we're not being told? Maybe they need more funds, new management, new processes. Whatever--it needs to be fixed. America needs a reliable, strong Navy. Not what it appears to be getting from this lot.