HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES COMPLETES SUBMARINE POST-SHAKEDOWN AVAILABILITY

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Aug. 31, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has completed post-shakedown availability (PSA) work on the submarine USS John Warner (SSN 785). It was the shipyard’s first PSA of a Virginia-class submarine and the first accomplished without having to put the boat into a dry dock for external hull work. The submarine was redelivered to the U.S. Navy today.

The submarine USS John Warner (SSN 785) is pictured leaving Newport News Shipbuilding on sea trials as part of its post shakedown availability. It is the first PSA to be accomplished without having to put the boat into a dry dock for external hull work. Photo by John Whalen/HII

“I could not be more proud of the sailors and our shipbuilders for this tremendous accomplishment,” said Jim Hughes, Newport News’ vice president, submarines and fleet support. “A PSA requires flexibility, teamwork and an ability to manage growth work. Remaining pierside was a huge challenge, but the team held to the schedule and remained under budget despite significant growth work. We could never have been successful without the strong relationship we share with the Warner crew. We faced every challenge as a team, and we celebrate this achievement as a team.”

The PSA included combat systems and electronics upgrades, hydraulic plant acoustic improvements, and general maintenance on the submarine. One challenge of the waterborne PSA was touch-up painting on the hull. Two dive teams used a coating process that allowed the surface preparation and coating to safely take place underwater.

“The triumph of USS John Warner’s PSA is unprecedented,” said Cmdr. Bert Canfield, the submarine’s commanding officer. “Success in these endeavors is not an accident. The environment of mutual support and respect between the shipbuilder and the fine crew aboard the Warner existed from the very start and ensured that success was met in record time. The men and women of Newport News are a national treasure, and their hard work returning John Warner to sea has directly contributed to our nation’s defense. I could not be more proud of my crew, nor of the construction team.”