By Geoff Fein
The Navy, General Dynamics [GD] and Northrop Grumman [NOC] are inspecting welds on all Virginia-class submarines after discovering a weakness in the process associated with non-nuclear piping welds, the Navy said Friday.
“The Navy, Northrop Grumman Newport News, and General Dynamics Electric Boat are conducting a detailed assessment of completed welds through record reviews, additional inspections, testing. This assessment is expected to complete within one week,” a Naval Sea Systems Command spokeswoman said. The Navy stresses that the welds are not related to any nuclear components.
The discovery of the weld weaknesses and the resulting inspections have impacted operational testing of the USS Virginia (SSN-774) and pre-commissioned unit North Carolina Sea Trials. Virginia‘s tests and North Carolina‘s trials will be delayed until the issue is resolved, the NAVSEA spokeswoman said.
All three commissioned ships, which includes the USS Texas (SSN-775), are in port and will remain there until inspections are completed, according to the Navy.