The US Navy has announced the deactivation of the Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine USS Boise (SSN 764) after more than 10 years of sustainment delays, transferring budget and workforce to more critical programs.
The service said the strategy follows a “data-driven” review aimed at improving fleet readiness and focusing investment on capabilities that fortify warfighting advantage.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle specified that resources tied to Boise’s maintenance will instead be used to accelerate the ongoing construction of the Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines.
“We’ve made the tough but necessary decision,” Caudle explained. “This strategic move allows us to reallocate America’s highly-skilled workforce to our highest priorities.”
“We owe it to our Sailors and the nation to make these tough calls to build a more capable and ready Navy.”
53rd Los Angeles Vessel
The Boise was commissioned in 1992 as the 53rd system of the Los Angeles series and counts as the US Navy’s second vessel to bear the name of Idaho’s capital city.
Washington originally scheduled the platform for an overhaul in fiscal 2016, but overhaul backlogs at public shipyards delayed the work and also affected its dive certification in 2017.
The 110-meter (361-foot) submarine was later assigned to HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding, which received a $1.2-billion contract in 2024 to complete the overhaul through 2029.
Following the military’s latest announcement, company spokesperson Todd Corillo said it will support the transition without affecting its workforce.
“We anticipate there will be no impact to our workforce and will transition shipbuilders currently assigned to USS Boise to other work,” Carillo told Breaking Defense.
Los Angeles submarines carry land attack missiles, heavyweight torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and sea mines.
Each has a capacity for approximately 130 personnel, and is equipped with a nuclear reactor, two steam turbines, and a backup propulsion motor for a top speed of over 20 knots (37 kilometers/23 miles per hour).
