The USS Toledo (SSN 769), a nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy, has officially returned to active service following an extensive eleven-month engineering overhaul conducted at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Virginia. This refurbishment and modernization initiative involved significant upgrades, including the installation of new masts and periscopes as well as comprehensive engine room tests designed to extend the submarine’s operational lifespan.
The maintenance work was executed by a skilled team of 50 employees across various production shops within the shipyard, all of whom played a crucial role in ensuring the successful completion of the overhaul. The work performed on the USS Toledo was executed under the framework of the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program, an initiative aimed at meeting the rigorous maintenance needs of the nuclear fleet while simultaneously optimizing shipyard processes for enhanced efficiency.
Captain Jip Mosman, the commander of NNSY, expressed gratitude for the dedicated efforts put forth by the project team, the crew, and contracting partners involved in the overhaul. “An Engineered Overhaul is a marathon, and I appreciate all the significant efforts from the project team, crew, and contracting partners to keep pushing us to the finish line,” he stated, highlighting the collaborative commitment required to complete such a complex project.
The USS Toledo is part of a fleet of 20 Los Angeles-class submarines currently in active service. Commissioned in 1997, the submarine has a storied history, participating in drug interdiction missions in the Caribbean and taking on vital reconnaissance roles during the Afghanistan War. More recently, SSN 769 has made port calls in key locations such as Bahrain, Norway, and Scotland. In recognition of the crew’s exemplary service, the USS Toledo earned the Navy Unit Commendation award in 2020 for its eight-month intelligence collection deployment.
With a displacement of 6,096 tons, the USS Toledo is capable of achieving submerged speeds in excess of 34.5 miles per hour (55.5 kilometers per hour). Its propulsion system features an S6G pressurized water reactor that boasts a 165-megawatt core, paired with two steam turbines and a secondary propulsion motor rated at 325 horsepower. These capabilities not only enhance the submarine’s performance but also its versatility in fulfilling a range of operational missions vital to national security.
