The $ 122,3 billion dollar submarine program of the US Navy's Columbia-class ballistic missiles started off with an unsatisfactory start after defective welds were discovered in several missile tubes for both the Columbia and Virginia programs, and the next program. SSBN of the United Kingdom.
In all, 12 missile tubes manufactured by BWXT are being investigated for some lower quality welds. Seven of the 12 had been delivered to Dynamics Electric Boat and were in various stages of construction and five were still under construction. According to a statement by Naval Sea Systems Command spokesman Bill Couch, the Navy and Dynamics Eletric Boad have launched an investigation.
According to spokesman Bill Couch, "all BWXT welds requiring volumetric inspection have been suspended until the investigation is complete."
A source familiar with the situation claims that the problem with the welds came to light after discrepancies were discovered with the BWXT equipment used to test the welds before sending them to GDEB.
Such a discovery from the very beginning of the manufacture of the Columbia class poses uncertainty for the entire program that cannot afford delays. The problem is even more concerning because it was done by a company with an excellent reputation. The obvious damage is that surely the Navy will not be able to get Columbia in time. The Navy says the program is vital as the Ohio class approaches the end of its operational life.
The problem with missile tubes, to be installed in both the Columbia program and the UK's Dreadnought submarine program, should not delay the Columbia program. The impacts on delivery of missile tubes in the Royal Navy's Dreadnought program are less clear, and will be assessed at the end of GDEB's efforts to define the next steps.
BWXT is one of three subcontractors for the Columbia and Dreadnought programs and one of two for the Virginia class contract only. The quality control issue would impact not only the US and British ballistic missile submarine programs, but could also impact the program for the next Virginia-class version, the Virginia Block V, which incorporates additional vertical launch missiles, known as Virginia Payload Form ".
The Navy is evaluating the potential impact on the submarines of the Virginia class with VPM, and the first indications show that the problem is limited only to the pipes manufactured by BWXT ".
The Navy / GDEB team is working to limit the problem and engineering assessments are underway to evaluate and find an immediate solution. “Initial reports indicate, however, that other suppliers do not have the same problem highlighted.
In 2016, the US Navy awarded General Dynamics a $ 101 million contract for SSBN missile tubes. The design work for the common missile compartment dates back almost a decade. In September, the Navy awarded a $ 5,1 billion contract to General Dynamics Electric Boat to finish the ship's design work before construction begins in 2021.
A Navy officer familiar with the details of the matter reported that the impact of defective welds on the cost of Columbia, already among the most expensive programs in the history of the Department of Defense, or of the Virginia class is unclear.
Brian Clark, an analyst at the Center for Strategic and Budget Assessments, says the problem is not a good sign for a priority program for the Navy and one that is getting a lot of attention. This is a rather significant failure for a manufacturer with a very high level reputation.
In a statement, General Dynamics said the company is committed to limiting the impact on US and UK programs and that General Dynamics Electric Boat is working closely with the subcontractor and the Navy to avoid any potential impact on these important programs.