Kittery shipyard to make upgrades on Navy attack submarine
Photo / Courtesy, U.S. Navy
The USS Hampton (SSN 767), a Los Angeles-class attack submarine, arrived last week at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery for scheduled maintenance and system upgrades.
A Navy submarine arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery last week to undergo maintenance and system upgrades.
The USS Hampton (SSN 767) is a Los Angeles-class attack submarine whose home port is San Diego. It has 130 crew members, according to a news release. The sub was commissioned in 1993.
“SSN” is a U.S. Navy hull classification that denotes “ship submersible,” or submarine, and nuclear power.
“The maintenance and modernization of these vital assets, not only extend their operational lifespan, but directly contributes to the Navy's warfighting readiness,” said Capt. Michael Oberdorf, commander of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which repairs and services the U.S. submarine fleet.
The Hampton will undergo scheduled maintenance and system upgrades to modernize its technology and to help the sub maintain a competitive edge in maritime operations.
Over the years, the Hampton has completed three Western Pacific deployments and has participated in numerous training exercises designed to help the U.S. Navy build partnerships with other nations and services.
The sub is armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles and supports U.S. special operations forces in various global theaters.
“We're fully committed to putting in the hard work necessary to ensure the Hampton is ready to fight and serve wherever the Navy is needed,” said Tim Doyon, the Hampton’s project superintendent.
Throughout the maintenance period, the crew of the Hampton will help out in its host community of Hampton, N.H., one of four U.S. cities and towns for which the sub is named.
The crew's work may include painting projects at schools, park cleanups, participating in parades or other community events as scheduled. The crew will also continue training and other regular duties.
The Hampton was built by the General Dynamics Electric Boat Division of Newport News (Va.) Shipbuilding Co., and is assigned to Submarine Squadron 11 in San Diego, according to the Navy.
Attack submarines are designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships, carry out intelligence and reconnaissance missions, support battle group operations and engage in mine warfare.
The Hampton previously was serviced at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 2018. In 2023, the shipyard injected a record-high $1.54 billion into the region's economy.
The shipyard, a 300-acre complex on Seavey Island in the Piscataqua River, employs nearly 7,500 civilians.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is one of four such Navy-operated facilities in the country and the second-oldest, founded in 1800.
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