The US Navy has commenced the Depot Modernization Period of its fourth Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
The USS North Carolina (SSN 777) was docked at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) in Oahu in preparation for the sustainment.
Throughout the project, the vessel will receive complete structural inspections, repairs, and major overhauls. It will also undertake mechanical and electrical system replacements, repaints, and nuclear work.
After the Depot Modernization Period, the North Carolina will be subjected to a 10-month testing phase and crew certification before rejoining the Pacific Fleet.
The PHNSY & IMF team expects to support over 600 roles to finalize the effort.
“North Carolina is approaching the midway point of her planned life cycle and it is important to conduct repairs and state of the art upgrades to ensure she is combat-ready and equipped to conduct all assigned tasking well into the 2030s,” USS North Carolina Commanding Officer Cmdr. Tad Robbins stated.
The North Carolina entered into service in May 2008 and became the first system to bear the state’s name.
It is homeported at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and has a crew of about 140 personnel.
Naval Maintenance in Hawaii
The PHNSY & IMF serves as the “one-stop” regional maintenance hub for all US Navy surface and underwater assets.
Its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific enables the military to rapidly address engineering requirements of units stationed between the US West Coast and the Far East.
In March 2023, the Pentagon invested $2.8 billion to construct a new concrete dry dock in Oahu to support the center’s nuclear submarine renovation services.
“We are all aligned and working together as one big Ohana to achieve the goal of getting the boat back to the fleet as soon as possible,” PHNSY & IMF Project Superintendent Kevin Alford said.
“And while it’s definitely hard, dirty, challenging work, with the right team it can also be a lot of fun. I definitely have the right team.”