NORFOLK - Norfolk Naval Shipyard successfully completed USS Maryland’s (SSBN 738) engineered refueling overhaul (ERO) Feb. 24.
EROs are complex, major shipyard availabilities that extend a submarine’s service life. In addition to being refueled, nearly all of ships systems were overhauled or modernized. Modernization work included replacement of distilling plants with a reverse osmosis unit, installation of an upgraded 500 kilowatt motor generator, electric power plant work, and LAN upgrades.
The project team met several key milestones on this overhaul, including setting a new best for the shipyard in safety performance on a SSBN availability; achieving record performance in the period from completion of hot operations to the start of its power range test program; and a record performance on propulsion plant testing.
“The Maryland project team held itself to high standards and had strong leadership with a focus on planning, communication and coordination,” said Shipyard Commander, Capt. Scott Brown. “Every SSBN refit and maintenance period directly supports the next strategic deployment, which is the most pressing priority for the Department of Defense.”
Maryland is the 13th of 18 operational Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines and was commissioned in 1992. The submarine is homeported in Kings Bay, Georgia.
NNSY is one of the largest shipyards in the world specializing in repairing, overhauling and modernizing ships and submarines. It's the oldest and largest industrial facility that belongs to the U.S. Navy.