A Navy rendering of the future ballistic missile submarine Columbia, the lead boat in the next generation of nuclear missile boats. (Navy)
Defense News: The US Navy’s top acquisition priority stumbles out of the gate
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Navy’s $122.3 billion Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program is off to an inauspicious start after faulty welding was discovered in several missile tubes destined for both the Columbia and Virginia-class programs, as well as the United Kingdom’s follow-on SSBN program.
In all, 12 missile tubes manufactured by BWXT, Inc., are being scrutinized for substandard welds. Seven of the 12 had been delivered to prime contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat and were in various stages of outfitting, and five were still under construction. The Navy and Electric Boat have launched an investigation, according to a statement from Naval Sea Systems Command spokesman Bill Couch.
“All BWXT welding requiring volumetric inspection has been halted until the investigation is complete,” Couch said.
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Update #1: Sloppy Welding On Launch Tubes For The Navy's New Missile Sub Could Point To Larger Problems (The Drive)
Update #2: Small errors could create a big problem for the Navy's next ballistic missile submarine (Business Insider)
WNU Editor: All that I can say is spot these problems now rather than later.
