USS Hartford (SSN-768)

USS Hartford (SSN-768), a Los Angeles-class submarine, is the second ship of the Navy to be named for Hartford, Connecticut. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 30 June 1988 and her keel was laid down on 22 February 1992. She was launched on 4 December 1993 sponsored by Laura O'Keefe, wife of former Secretary of the Navy Sean O'Keefe, and commissioned on 10 December 1994, with Commander George Kasten in command.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Hartford.

USS Hartford returns to New London after collision with USS New Orleans. Damage to the sail is visible.
History
United States
NameUSS Hartford
NamesakeThe City of Hartford, Connecticut
Awarded30 June 1988
BuilderGeneral Dynamics Electric Boat
Laid down22 February 1992
Launched4 December 1993
Sponsored byMrs. Laura O'Keefe, wife of former Secretary of the Navy Sean O'Keefe
Commissioned10 December 1994
HomeportNew London, Connecticut
Motto"Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead"
Statusin active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeLos Angeles-class submarine
Displacement
  • 6,000 long tons (6,096 t) light
  • 6,927 long tons (7,038 t) full
  • 6,927 long tons (7,038 t) dead
Length110.3 m (361 ft 11 in)
Beam10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Draft9.4 m (30 ft 10 in)
Propulsion
  • 1 × S6G PWR nuclear reactor with D2W core (165 MW), HEU 93.5%[1][2]
  • 2 × steam turbines (33,500) shp
  • 1 × shaft
  • 1 × secondary propulsion motor 325 hp (242 kW)
Complement12 officers, 98 men
Armament4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes 12 × vertical launch Tomahawk missiles

In October 2007, the submarine successfully launched and recovered an AN/BLQ-11 unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV)—the first such operation from a submarine. The vehicle was launched via one of the boat's torpedo tubes and recovered with the help of a 60-foot robotic arm.[3]

In the news

2003 grounding in Sardinia
Main article: USS Hartford grounding

On 25 October 2003 Hartford ran aground near La Maddalena in Sardinia with such force that rudders, sonar and other electronic equipment were severely damaged. After the accident Commander Christopher R. Van Metre, captain of Hartford, and Captain Greg Parker, Commodore of Submarine Squadron 22, were relieved of command and sent back to the United States. Six other crewmen were also charged with dereliction of duty.[4]

2009 collision in Strait of Hormuz
Main article: USS Hartford and USS New Orleans collision

On 20 March 2009 Hartford collided with amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans (LPD-18) in the Strait of Hormuz, slightly injuring 15 sailors on board. Both vessels were able to proceed under their own power after the incident, although the New Orleans suffered a ruptured fuel tank, releasing 25,000 gallons of diesel fuel into the strait.[5]

Hartford was escorted back to homeport by destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58). Laboon was, at the time, attached to NATO under Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 and was directed to break away and perform escort duties by Sixth Fleet.

The Navy announced on 14 April 2009 that the submarine's skipper, Commander Ryan Brookhart, had been relieved of duty by Rear Admiral Michael J. Connor because of a loss of confidence in Brookhart's ability to command. Brookhart was replaced by Commander Chris Harkins, deputy commander of Submarine Squadron Eight.[6]

A repair contract was awarded to General Dynamics. Repairs were initially expected to cost $37.4 million and be completed by January 2010.[7] However, by November 2009, repair costs had already exceeded $100 million.[8] Final repair cost was $120 million when Hartford returned to duty in February, 2011[9]

Modernization

On 29 July 2022 a $698M contract was awarded to General Dynamics Electric Boat to repair and modernize the Hartford. [10]

Service history

Hartford took part in ICEX 2018, surfacing through the Arctic ice on 21 March.[11]

References
  1. "International Panel on Fissile Materials". fissilematerials.org. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  2. "Validation of the Use of Low Enriched Uranium as a Replacement for Highly Enriched Uranium in US Submarine Reactors" (PDF). dspace.mit.edu. June 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  3. Friedman, Norman (20 December 2012). "Submarines and Their Future". Defense Media Network. p. 2. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  4. Digges, Charles (13 November 2003). "Italy furious after US Navy tried to cover up sub accident". Bellona Foundation. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  5. Commander, US Fifth Fleet (20 March 2009). "Two U.S. Navy Vessels Collide in the Strait of Hormuz". Archived from the original on 21 February 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2009.
  6. Clayton, Cindy, "Commander of Sub That Collided With Ship Is Relieved of Duty", Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, 15 April 2009.
  7. "General Dynamics gets contract to repair submarine". Associated Press. 9 July 2009. Archived from the original on 12 July 2009.
  8. "'Complacency' led to US sub crash". BBC. 19 November 2009.
  9. McDermott, Jennifer (17 July 2011). "Electric Boat gets USS Hartford back to sea". The Day. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  10. "General Dynamics Awarded $698 million Contract Modification for Overhaul of USS Hartford". August 2022.
  11. "USS Hartford (SSN 768) Surfacing in the Arctic Ocean for ICEX".
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