US Navy ponders prolonging Los Angeles subs
The US Navy is studying whether to extend the service life of some of its ageing Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) by 12 years to ease a projected shortfall in its overall SSN fleet.
The navy, which has already stretched the life of Los Angeles-class submarines from 30 years to 33 years, is now looking at whether up to seven of those boats could be made to last a total of 45 years, according to Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).
A class-wide study is due to be finished in 2020. In addition, each vessel will be evaluated
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