Sub-standard construction ?

[Stingray]

Nice summary !

[Gannet]

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/NGC-Inspection-Failure-Calls-Ships-Into-Question-05468/?utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_source=did&utm_medium=textlink#more-5468

Above is a link to a 16 January 2010 update on the subject.

[Stingray]

When I was in the 'MoB' I was one of the very few, formally qualified (CSWIP 3.1 and PCN L2 - for info) RN Welding Inspectors (there was two of us in unifform that were qualified) and the Chair of the Naval Weld Acceptance Group (NWAG) in Devonport.  My signature is on a large number of primary and secondary weld repairs.  A great shore job as in 2000, I didn't have a single day off in 6 months, always on-call (no qualified deputy), but it got me four weeks in the Rock Hotel Gibraltar (for 12 hours work) during the Tireless repair

Unlike the build environment, the production pressures were not as intense, in fact when I failed a particular weld, delaying Tireless, I was told to FAX it to the Spanish Government, I dutifully ignored that instruction and went to the Gib Arms / Donkey's Flip-Flop for a few more...

[torres1944]

Welding  problems on Virginia Class subs surfaced in late 2007, when an investigation revealed that workers in Newport News engaged in improper welding procedures that could have led to cracking in internal pipes and joints on submarines. After a 16-month investigation, the Navy determined that those problems pose no risk to sailors and submarines.

In early 2009, a Newport News weld inspector admitted to signing off on the quality of welds that he did not inspect. The inspector, Robert Ruks, was fired. The issue is still under investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

Then last August, the Navy found that torpedoes-handling systems on at least four submarines were installed incorrectly by Newport News workers.

That investigation and the resulting repairs led to a delay in the delivery of the New Mexico, the sixth Virginia Class submarine.   
 
Despite the problems, the "New Mexico"   was completed in 70 months, four months ahead of the contract schedule and fastest of the six subs completed so far, the Navy said.

 I ask myself  if this focus on reducing the "time for delivering" the SSNīs,  is one possible cause for the malfunctions  in the welds of the pipes. 

  Three years ago I have the chance of read one article who explains that the US Navy was exploring the use of Lokring technology in submarine's joint pipes  for replacing the traditional welds.  This technology is used, by example, in oil plattforms.  I didnīt heard nothing about  if the Navy did something or not. 

 http://www.lokring.com/

[xbilgerat]

This article is dated 15.1.2010 and refers to another investigation into welds. This is not old news but in my intepretation an indication that despite earlier enquiries proper procedures are still not taking place eg signing for inspections that were not pproperly carried out. At least that's the way I read it but even so no harm done if it is a repeat just disregard.



"General Dynamics Electric Boat has launched another investigation into welds on at least one Virginia Class submarine after the company found that a shipbuilder at its Quonset Point, R.I., shipyard may not have properly evaluated the quality of the welds he was charged with inspecting."

[Stingray]

I'm afraid this is old news and has been discussed a lot in the forum

[xbilgerat]

Not good reading for work that needs to be top quality. This would hardly inspire confidence in the new 'boats' crews. With the depths now possible not much room for error in construction . This is why those involved in sital areas of construction should be taken to sea on acceptence trials although they probably are.

"Construction problems on Virginia Class subs first surfaced in late 2007, when an investigation revealed that workers in Newport News engaged in improper welding procedures that could have led to cracking in internal pipes and joints on submarines. After a 16-month investigation, the Navy determined that those problems pose no risk to sailors and submarines.
In early 2009, a Newport News weld inspector admitted to signing off on the quality of welds that he did not inspect. The inspector, Robert Ruks, was fired. The issue is still under investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
Then last August, the Navy found that weapons-handling systems on at least four submarines were installed incorrectly by Newport News workers"

http://www.dailypress.com/business/dp-biz_submarines_0116jan16,0,7821962.story