Navy Investigates Faulty Welds on 26 Warships

We first heard the news back in September—you might remember the initial report I shared with you about it.

Congress Investigates Faulty Welding on Navy Subs and Carriers

Serious welding defects were discovered during the construction of some Navy aircraft carriers and submarines at Newport News Shipbuilding.

Weld FeedBurcin Vargel

The U.S. Navy has launched an investigation after discovering that 26 warships, including three already in service, received faulty welds during their construction or maintenance at the Newport News Shipbuilding yard in Virginia. This alarming development has led to a flurry of activity, with Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro directing technical experts to co-locate with the shipyard to conduct a thorough review. According to a letter dated October 3rd, Del Toro stressed the importance of swiftly defining the scope of improper welding and finding solutions to the issue.

The welds in question were performed on noncritical components of three vessels: the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, and the submarines USS Hyman G. Rickover and USS New Jersey. Fortunately, all three ships have been certified as safe for operation by Naval Sea Systems Command, meaning there's no immediate risk to their missions. Still, it's far from smooth sailing. The faulty welds have prompted a rigorous inspection across 23 other warships, some of which are still under construction, while others are in maintenance phases. The Navy expects to have inspection results by mid-October, and is taking this opportunity to also improve training for welders and related trades at the shipyard.

While this news is undoubtedly disappointing—especially given the importance of upholding quality in shipbuilding contracts—the Navy is emphasizing transparency and safety above all else. Del Toro, in his letter, reassured Congress and stakeholders that updates would be provided as the investigation continues. It remains to be seen whether the defective welds will delay the delivery schedules for the impacted ships, but one thing is certain: ensuring the safety of sailors is priority number one.

Source:

Navy launches investigation into faulty welds on 26 warships at Virginia shipyard

The welding deficiencies were made on noncritical components of three in-service ships. They were done at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, which is the sole maker of carriers for the Navy and one of only two firms that make submarines.

Stars and StripesCaitlyn Burchett