Tweet
N. Grumman delivers attack-submarine to U.S. Navy
By PETER FROST |
12:08 PM EST, February 22, 2008
http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-biz_n ... 4646.story
NEWPORT NEWS - After a two-month delay caused by construction problems and equipment failures, Northrop Grumman late Thursday delivered the nuclear-powered attack-submarine North Carolina to the U.S. Navy.
The Navy will now put the $2.33 billion, Virginia-class sub through a series of tests this spring and summer to prepare it for future deployment.
It is the fourth boat of the class to be delivered by the Newport News yard and its partner in the submarine program, General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn., joining the Virginia, Texas and Hawaii. The North Carolina joins the Texas as the second sub to be delivered in Newport News.
The North Carolina is scheduled to be commissioned by the Navy in a May 3 ceremony in Wilmington, N.C.
In early December, the yard said it planned to deliver the ship by the end of 2007, but after problems emerged with welds in non-nuclear piping systems and additional inspections were ordered, delivery was pushed back into January.
Then, the Navy and shipyard discovered a pinhole-sized internal leak on a steam valve that controls flow to turbines for propulsion and electrical power generation. Rather than repair the valve, the Navy opted to have it replaced, causing the boat's delivery to be delayed again.
Despite the last-minute turbulence, the Navy praised Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding and Electric Boat for continuing improvement on their joint sub-building partnership.
"North Carolina's delivery marks a major milestone for the program," Program Executive Officer for Submarines Rear Adm. William Hilarides said in a statement. "...With Electric Boat's and Newport News' continued improvement and innovation we will reach our goal" of buying two Virginia-class subs for $4 billion in 2012.
By PETER FROST |
12:08 PM EST, February 22, 2008
http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-biz_n ... 4646.story
NEWPORT NEWS - After a two-month delay caused by construction problems and equipment failures, Northrop Grumman late Thursday delivered the nuclear-powered attack-submarine North Carolina to the U.S. Navy.
The Navy will now put the $2.33 billion, Virginia-class sub through a series of tests this spring and summer to prepare it for future deployment.
It is the fourth boat of the class to be delivered by the Newport News yard and its partner in the submarine program, General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn., joining the Virginia, Texas and Hawaii. The North Carolina joins the Texas as the second sub to be delivered in Newport News.
The North Carolina is scheduled to be commissioned by the Navy in a May 3 ceremony in Wilmington, N.C.
In early December, the yard said it planned to deliver the ship by the end of 2007, but after problems emerged with welds in non-nuclear piping systems and additional inspections were ordered, delivery was pushed back into January.
Then, the Navy and shipyard discovered a pinhole-sized internal leak on a steam valve that controls flow to turbines for propulsion and electrical power generation. Rather than repair the valve, the Navy opted to have it replaced, causing the boat's delivery to be delayed again.
Despite the last-minute turbulence, the Navy praised Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding and Electric Boat for continuing improvement on their joint sub-building partnership.
"North Carolina's delivery marks a major milestone for the program," Program Executive Officer for Submarines Rear Adm. William Hilarides said in a statement. "...With Electric Boat's and Newport News' continued improvement and innovation we will reach our goal" of buying two Virginia-class subs for $4 billion in 2012.
Comment